Canada, Mexico, Spain, Britain, France, Australia, Japan, and South Korea:these countries are the United States’ best allies and friends, the countries closestto us in geography and history, and some of the strongest examplesof the democratic spirit in the world.
These countries have something else in common, too: an overwhelming disdainfor President Bush and his foreign policies.
In a recent poll conducted by leading newspapers worldwide, the majorityof people in all 8 of these countries expressed their dislike for President Bush, including an overwhelming 2-1 majority in Great Britain, our closest ally,
Of course, the Bushites are probably screaming right nowthat this is not some world popularity contest, that we should notlet world opinion determine our actions.
But lets consider some of the consequences of President Bush’s politics of global estrangement. Across the world, governmentssympathetic to the US are being voted out of office. Spain, oneof the original scant members of Bush’s “coalition of the willing,saw its pro-Bush party lose power last spring. In south korea, the pro-american, anti-Noth Korea hardliners lost their majority tomore conciliatory factions. Anti-american sentimentprovoked by bush is also at the heart of the fallingpopularity of Japan’s prime minister. Australia recently wasa notable counterexample to this trend, but the extreme anti-bushsentiment in Britain puts Tony Blairs continued leadership on shaky ground.
The point is this: President Bush’s actions are not causingtemporary international disagreements. They are provoking longterm shifts towards Anti-Americanismin governments, policies, and attitudes amongst our most importantallies.
It is important to realize, however, that this sentiment is not yet entrenched.The poll revealed that at the same time our allies denounced President Bush, they expressed affection for America and a desire to enjoygood relations with the United States. A change in presidents and a change in unilateralist and confrontationalist policy could stemthe growing disaffection among our allies and restore america to a place of honor in the world. This is the change that must be madethis november.
Antoine DoinelAlumni