The Stature of the American in the World Community

Abstract

Concern of Americans with their world image has been persistent, attributed to a need for identification in a classless society and to a zeal for exporting the ideology of democracy. The salience of this concern is now heightened by the increased visibility of Americans abroad and the prominent role of the United States in all aspects of world affairs. In the aftermath of World War II, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) surveys showed that most foreigners had a highly favorable image both of Americans and of the United States. Criticisms of Americans and of American culture are noted and grouped into those typically made by Europeans, Communists, intellectuals of the emergent nations, and Latin-Americans. Impact of the Vietnam war has damaged the stature both of Americans and of the United States in most of the world.