Salzburg Global Fellow Ruby Maloni examines the current dynamics affecting the U.S.’ image and influence worldwide
This op-ed piece is part of a series, written by Fellows of the Salzburg Global Seminar program "Democracy on the Front Lines: Polarization, Culture and Resilience in America and the World."
As an Indian who has always lived in her own country, my personal impression of the image of the United States has been positive, in fact, a “fabulous” one, replete with benevolent power and starlit glamour. This was especially true during my teenage years (during the “swinging” 70s), when like all young people worldwide, my holistic impression was that America led the way in music, movies and popular culture. No politician could be handsomer than President Kennedy, no musician could be more electric than Elvis Presley, no actress could be more beautiful than Liz Taylor. The image of the U.S. has held the world in thrall much earlier than the 1970s, and still attracts throngs to its shores.
Today, after visiting the U.S. several times, impressions and images have changed. Reality is far removed from imagination. Poverty and homelessness stare you in the face and cannot be avoided, even while walking down Manhattan or the Bay area. Racial tension, the opioid crisis and other negative elements in the U.S. are commonly known to American watchers all over the world.
American global influence has eroded rapidly in the new millennium. The “golden age” of the U.S., which mesmerised the globe, seems to have vaporised into thin air. While teaching my graduate students of history at Mumbai University, the roots of America’s unprecedented prosperity and emergence as a world power have been discussed in detail. The country’s resilience in the “frontier” days, its rapid development in both the industrial and agricultural sectors, the progressive movement of the early 20th century which tried to make right many wrongs, are some of the factors which particularly interest me and my students.
But there are many discordant and unreconciled historical roots which still echo at present. In fact, they are raising their heads in new formations. This is especially true of the racial and ethnic question. Affirmative action is being consistently undertaken since the post-civil war and reconstruction period. Yet, what strengthens the hands of far right and white supremacist groups today? Is this due to the role of politicians at the lowest and highest levels of governance, or that of the media? January 6, 2021, has given a massive blow to the image of the U.S. worldwide. It was incredible and almost surreal to watch a country like the U.S., with its strong constitution and rule of law, descend to this abysmal and savage level. Television and other media formats made these images vivid, such as that of rabid citizens erecting gallows for the hanging of the vice president. It will take a long time for the U.S. to repair the damage to its image. America’s image as a mega violent country can do with a makeover.
The role of the U.S. as the peacekeeper of the world and as a super power is also profoundly transformed. The use of its military might in Iraq and Afghanistan have not yielded any positive outcomes. Vietnam did not teach any lessons to the policy makers, and body bags kept returning home, to the dismay and sorrow of its citizens. The rise of terrorism and 9/11 have created a fear psychosis among American people, as never seen before. The U.S. has always been prone to an isolationist policy and it would seem there is a return to this once again. To many observers in the wider world, this makes America look weak and powerless.
Current world dynamics are ever-changing. China looms large for all countries –economically, politically, and militarily. The Taiwan issue is a tinder box ready to be lit. The Ukraine crisis has been going on for a protracted period, holding a Damocles sword over the anxious world’s head. In the U.S., preparations are being made for any impending nuclear disaster. All this dampens the world’s dependence and hope on the U.S. as a peacekeeper. The country appears to have a diminished sense of self confidence and strength. It is the task of politicians, media and the people to address such crucial issues and do their best to bolster their country in every way and recapture the elusive vision of the past “glory days”.
Still, there is hope. Immature and self-serving politicians need to be kept at arm’s length, to prevent and preclude further damage to America’s image and influence, and most importantly, to the tenets of its constitution. The U.S. dollar continues to hold its own globally, which is a major “influencer”. Therefore, the American economy needs to be kept on an even keel, preventing any chance of 1929 or 2008 from happening again.
“Make America Great Again”, divorced from its specific political affiliations and sloganeering, does make sense!
America’s overall image around the world remains largely positive, although there are variations among regions and countries. As the world’s two largest democracies, India and the U.S. have close historical bonds of shared liberalism and freedom, which need to be strengthened, with the best possible efforts from all quarters.
Ruby Maloni is former Head and Professor of the Department of History, Mumbai University. She has been teaching and framing the syllabi at the graduate level for the History of the United States at Mumbai University for more than thirty years. She has mentored many students conducting research on American Studies. She has participated in two earlier sessions of the Salzburg Seminar and found herself to be academically enriched from the experience. She is Director, Historian's Atelier, which does mostly pro bono work for scholars and social scientists. She is an alumnus of both Calcutta and Mumbai University, having done her graduation from the former institution, and obtained the master's and doctoral degrees from the latter.
