Stars and gripes: Plots about America

The new book Facebook can't bear. A Philip Roth classic. And who's anti Uncle Sam?

Image by Jose M, Unsplash

The Big Story:

America is on everyone’s mind – for good or ill – two months into Donald Trump’s second presidency. This is a unique stars and gripes canvas, totally different from any previous global response to America.

• For Russia, Israel, Italy, India, Hungary and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Trump is making America great again. Mostly. They see the new US administration as more relatable, less inclined to lecture (on high-minded topics such as human rights) and more willing to do deals such as the DRC’s offer of a minerals-for-security pact.¹

• An unusual kind of anti-Americanism is sweeping some parts of the world, notably Canada, Britain, South Africa and much of Europe. Part disgust, part disappointment, it is triggered by what is seen as the Trump administration’s arrogance, greed and unethical approach to the political, social and economic foundations of the world order.

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These books offer crucial context:

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🎧 Would you rather listen? Next week’s post will be a human (not AI) readthrough, along with a smorgasboard of tasty research reports and multi-media picks on this same topic.

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The Back Story:

An anti-American European once complained the US is so unnatural and inauthentic “even its garbage is clean”. It was an obvious exaggeration but a symptom of a broader problem for America:

• The Ugly American, a 1958 novel that had 20 printings and was made into a movie, presented Americans as bumbling, disdainful and corrupt.

• Generalised anti-Americanism – a permanent, irrational and visceral distrust – is “an emotion masquerading as an analysis”, according to sociologist Todd Gitlin.

• As one of this week’s books notes, “much of the profound aversion to America has been produced by the belief that great opportunities have been squandered, with a resounding failure to live up to splendid ideals”. Cue Gaza, Ukraine?

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