How the World Sees America & How America Sees the World (SAE 98-99)

Are we, as Americans, really that self-centered? That was the first question that popped up in my mind as I was reading the articles from the State of the American Empire book.

"Americans are so convinced of the superiority of their own system they have
difficulty appreciating the virtues of others." (Burman 98)

Just the other day, as I was eating dinner at the dining center near my dorm, I witnessed firsthand the arrogance of those who think we are the center of the world. It shocked me as I sat and listened to the ongoing conversation. One of the males kept insisting that America is way better than the country that the student was from. I just couldn't help feeling disgust toward how this person was imposing their ideas on this person. I guess that this person was falling into what Burman explained -- "The danger arises when this self-admiration extends to a desire to impose the American social model on to other cultures." (98)

Although some people may be that way, the way Burman writes makes me feel like he is bashing the United States of America. He uses pretty harsh words in my opinion when he describes and makes comparisons of the United States of America.

"At its worst, Americans see alternative cultures as embodiments of evil, and
combating them as a duty to civilize a world corrupted by false gods. As a
result, the USA often lacks the respect and restraint necessary when dealing
with sovereign states, and instead a mirror image of radical, proselytizing
Islam." (Burman 99)

I feel that he makes the United States of America seem obsessed with making everyone Christian and that those who don't conform to how we do things are seen as "evil". I don't think America is that bad. I mean, there are flaws to every society, so I'm just wondering if this author publishes bias in this text. Is it just me or is there a lot of negativity in this text?