09-24-2009, 07:08 PM
I think you are quite right there. As a Frenchman, I always perceived the UK's implicit assertion that the it had a special relationship with the US as self-delusional. The US don't care much about any other country.
They have a keen interest in coutries when money can be made, fair enough.
They certainly admire Germany for being a tough nut to crack in WWII. They also admire the Japanese for being able to build powerful industrial empires.
For France, they have a feeling of mixed contempt and amusement: we are the country of wine-lovers and fashion. Like the Italians, we are fun-loving losers.
There is a genuine cultural bond between the former white members of the British empire (England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, NZ, SA...) but somehow the American citizen does not really fit in.
I would say the US {moderately) like England because, of course, the first settlers were English after all, and also the Brits have this funny queen and court life which reminds them so much of the wonders of Disney Land. But at the end of the day, the US remain the most important country in the world, if not the only country in the world.
The US are probably surprised that the UK claims to have a special relationship, but are quite happy to have someone so faithfully following their policies; it gives a bit more credit on the international scene, it comes quite handy sometimes.
Why would the Brits claim to have a special relationship with the US? I don't think there is anything romantic or emotional about that. The UK doesn't really care about the US, at the end of the day. What the UK wants is some comfort to soothe the pains of a lost pride. With the US, the UK can say: "sure, now we are not so great, but see what we produced, does it not somehow reflect positively on us?"
The thing is, the 16th-17th century is a long time ago, especially by american standards, and the US today owe probably as much -in historical and cultural terms- to Ireland, Italy, Russian and German Jews, Chinese, Mexicans (!) as to England.
It is not a drama for the US, it is a drama for England. The James Bond movies portray a relationship which is false: no, the US intelligence services do not rely on, nor do they admire, the intelligence services of England, wakie, wakie! There is a lack of maturity in the UK's approach to the US, and, in return, the US despises the UK with quite some cynicism, it is painful to watch.
They have a keen interest in coutries when money can be made, fair enough.
They certainly admire Germany for being a tough nut to crack in WWII. They also admire the Japanese for being able to build powerful industrial empires.
For France, they have a feeling of mixed contempt and amusement: we are the country of wine-lovers and fashion. Like the Italians, we are fun-loving losers.
There is a genuine cultural bond between the former white members of the British empire (England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, NZ, SA...) but somehow the American citizen does not really fit in.
I would say the US {moderately) like England because, of course, the first settlers were English after all, and also the Brits have this funny queen and court life which reminds them so much of the wonders of Disney Land. But at the end of the day, the US remain the most important country in the world, if not the only country in the world.
The US are probably surprised that the UK claims to have a special relationship, but are quite happy to have someone so faithfully following their policies; it gives a bit more credit on the international scene, it comes quite handy sometimes.
Why would the Brits claim to have a special relationship with the US? I don't think there is anything romantic or emotional about that. The UK doesn't really care about the US, at the end of the day. What the UK wants is some comfort to soothe the pains of a lost pride. With the US, the UK can say: "sure, now we are not so great, but see what we produced, does it not somehow reflect positively on us?"
The thing is, the 16th-17th century is a long time ago, especially by american standards, and the US today owe probably as much -in historical and cultural terms- to Ireland, Italy, Russian and German Jews, Chinese, Mexicans (!) as to England.
It is not a drama for the US, it is a drama for England. The James Bond movies portray a relationship which is false: no, the US intelligence services do not rely on, nor do they admire, the intelligence services of England, wakie, wakie! There is a lack of maturity in the UK's approach to the US, and, in return, the US despises the UK with quite some cynicism, it is painful to watch.