Why all the Global Anti-Americanism? - Shashi Tharoor

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2008/07/21/Shashi_Tharoor_Restoring_Americas_Image_in_the_World

Indian author and diplomat Shashi Tharoor examines global anti-Americanism, arguing that such criticism is often linked to an inherent respect for American values and ideals.

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Shashi Tharoor discusses Restoring America's Image in the World: the Public Diplomacy Challenge as a part of American Foreign Policy: Leadership and Dialogue during the 2008 Chautauqua Institution morning lecture series.

Shashi Tharoor is chairman of the Dubai-based Afras Ventures and former under-secretary-general for communications and public information at the United Nations.

His UN career began in 1978, when he joined the staff of the United Nations high commissioner for refugees. He was also a senior adviser to the secretary-general. He has written hundreds of articles, op-eds, and book reviews in a wide range of publications. A contributing editor and occasional columnist for Newsweek International and a columnist for the Hindu and the Times of India, he is the author of nine books, including India: From Midnight to the Millennium, Nehru: The Invention of India, Bookless in Baghdad, The Great Indian Novel, Riot, and Show Business.

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[SurrealPsychedelic]

@pluto4847 Because, people who blame another country are as stupid and hateful as they claim the people they "hate" to be. It's an irony that they don't want to admit, because hating america now has become the thing to do. Hell, even intellectuals fall into these mentalities. Watch, when the next country becomes "#1" everyone who's a bigot will blame all of the world's problems on them. But I'm glad people like you are growing. Helps fighting prejudice.

[mkf272]

Funny to see all these so called "America haters" on Youtube. Youtube is a product of American imperialism and these idiots are using it.

[yngguy4u]

@MegaAntimason royalty, class systems and old buildings = / = culture either. How exactly is Europe more cultured than America? I suppose there is a typical British or Irish or French culture but because American culture isn't typical (based on the standards of the old world) just proves that Amerca has a very specific culture that is largely the anti-culture of the world, anti tradition, anti-class etc. Of course the old world will say its vulgar while being in awe of it.

[MegaAntimason]

@yngguy4u bigmacs and whores =/= culture

[yngguy4u]

@MegaAntimason 2(2) Just because American culture is post-modern in nature and therefore considered low-brow doesn't mean it isn't culture. In Europe (for instance) the "culture' is based on history, on the modern masters of art and music and architecture and tradition etc. America's culture is largely the re-interpretation of the old cultures ie: jazz, rap, rock n roll, Hollywood, Wall St. etc etc. It's culture is hated abroad for its vulgarity but loved for the same reason

[yngguy4u]

@MegaAntimason of course the world would have progressed w/o America. But there is no way to tell if capitalism would look the way it does today w/o America. Modern capitalism is based on a post WWII global experiment. You make it sound like before America came along capitalism was thriving. It wasn't. Its also popular to proclaim America "culture-less" and yet its everywhere! Just because its undefinable doesn't mean it isn't there.

[MegaAntimason]

@yngguy4u culture? wow dude, all these things would have happened without america other countries also have capitalism, im sure germany britain japan or france would have made these inventions, look...culture? america has no culture!

[yngguy4u]

@yngguy4u No one knows who "actually" created the internet or the car etc. b/c the technological communities constantly share info and are inspired by each other. But for now, America remains the undisputed king of cultural influence (often to saturation) and technological progress. Think IPOD. Maybe one day we'll all be drinking Chinese soda and listening to Russian pop stars but let go and embrace it b/c you live in an Americanized world and not by force...by choice.

[yngguy4u]

@MegaAntimason yes but the point is Americans did create this website and probably your operating platform and probably your search engine and your facebook page and your starbucks and coke etc etc etc. I'm not saying technological progress wouldn't have happened w/o America but its America that creates the culture in which these mega corporations (all the richest on earth) are possible.