Top 10 countries, descending order where US is loved

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.askmen.com/feeder/askmenRSS_article_print_2006.php?ID=941685

Top 10: America Loving Countries

They may trash-talk us, but plenty of countries secretly love us. These 10 nations are smitten with the United States.

By Geoffrey Lansdell, Travel Specialist

Canada is one of many America loving countries

The U.S. generally performs poorly on global goodwill surveys, which is particularly true throughout the Middle East and much of Europe, where few America-loving countries exist. There is, however, one striking exception: Sub-Saharan Africa is nearly unanimous in its love for America. Africans, it seems, look to the U.S. as a model of success and as a potential immigration route -- now those friendly Africans belong to America-loving countries.

Arguably, our greatest export is our culture; and though some may dispute its desirability, American culture has been welcomed in much of the Western world. As the reigning global superpower, America stands as a “scapegoat nation” for countries impacted by our ideas and values.

A nation that openly admires the U.S. is an America-loving country. It might also be a nation that is politically in bed with us -- our partners in trade or foreign affairs. Still, an America-loving country could be a nation that has absorbed American values into its cultural fabric -- kind of like friendly old Canada (but don’t tell them that, it ticks them off).

Note: Statistics are from a 2007 47-nation Pew Global Attitudes Survey.

Number 10

England

51% America loving

Like Eve’s birth from Adam’s rib, the U.S. was born from England’s loins. Like men and women, friendly Americans are drastically different creatures from the friendly Brits. Nevertheless, we do share a connection and we express ourselves in the same language: football.

Although we stole their cherished David Beckham for our MLS’s Galaxy, we will always feel that our American-style football (aka, the NFL) is far superior to a bunch of guys in short shorts and long socks chasing after a polka-dot ball. And since football is our shared language, the Brits will always feel that their version of football (we call it soccer, bloke) is far superior to ours, which features guys in leotards and armor. Either way, all of us enjoy the pints and we’ll defend our sport until one of us passes out. Despite our differences, England remains an America-loving country.

Number 9

Canada

55% America loving

Many Canadians are loath to admit that they like the States, but they do. Canadians live in an America-loving country because we are their largest trading partner and because they import more American culture than any other nation.

Canadians, however, often feel the need to define themselves and point out certain American qualities that they find off-putting; walk down any Canadian street and you might hear such expressions as, ”At least we don’t have the death penalty”; ”we’re more progressive than the States”; or ”at least we’re not a bunch of redneck Republicans.” No doubt, there are differences, but Canada generally lives a pretty American way of life.

Number 8

Mexico

56% America loving

It could be argued that U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations are a marriage of convenience. The border we share, for example, represents the widest division in living standards between neighboring countries, and our history has been tumultuous. But, despite this, Mexicans do make a significant contribution to both the American economy and culture. With the war on drugs and illegal immigration being central issues that face both countries, Tijuana, the Mexican Las Vegas, seems like a good representation of the clash between these cultures.

Number 7

Australia

56% America loving

Australia’s relationship with America is like the big-brother complex Canada has with the U.S. We share lineage, a Commonwealth past, and a certain degree of paternal support. Aussies also have an appetite for American visual media. Next to surfing, basketball and wrestling are grunt sports that are treasured by intoxicated fans who occupy an America-loving country.

Number 6

India

59% America loving

Many Americans don’t realize the extent of pro-American sentiment in India, and, more surprisingly, Indians largely applauded Bush’s re-election. The wave of Americanism started with a backlash against the anti-capitalist propaganda that reigned during the period of economic socialism (1947-‘91). The failure of socialism then served as fodder for recent relations between the two countries. The Indian-American community is now the wealthiest ethnic group in the U.S. -- and Bollywood is likely the largest recreation of an American cultural dream in existence.

There are plenty of American-loving countries in Africa…

Number 5

Japan

61% America loving

A few minor hiccups aside (Pearl Harbor, Nagasaki, Hiroshima), Japan has somewhat miraculously turned into an American military ally. More than 60 years ago, however, the attack on Pearl Harbor was the most devastating attack on American soil by a foreign nation -- until September 11, 2001.

Japan is the largest importer of oil in Asia, attaining 80% of it from the Middle East. As such, Japan-U.S. relations have heated during George Bush’s terms in office, while the Japanese lifestyle continues to reflect its new American genes. Despite warming political relations and cultural affinities, the Bush administration certainly doesn’t have overwhelming popular approval. But with a trilateral relationship (China-Japan-U.S.) on the horizon, it will be interesting to monitor this America-loving countries feeling toward this burgeoning relationship.

Number 4

Poland

61% America loving

Despite decades of official anti-American propaganda during Poland’s communist era, the U.S. and Poland have been great trading partners since the late ‘80s. In the communist aftermath, the U.S. eliminated significant foreign debt, provided economic aid and lowered trade barriers in order to help Poland’s transition to free enterprise. Since 1989, Poland has supported every American military operation, including the coalition in Iraq. In other words, after a period of Soviet-era anti-Americanism, Poland has jumped on the U.S. economic bandwagon and become an America-loving country.

Number 3

Israel

78% America loving

Israel’s love for the U.S. is essentially a defense alliance. As Israel and the U.S. battle to balance competing interests in the Middle East, we trade in the billions and peripherally contribute to each other’s military complex.

Back in 1962, President John F. Kennedy told Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir that America had a “special relationship with Israel.” Since then, the Jewish story in American culture extends from Hollywood to New York, and on to Israel. In both political and popular culture, the Cold War solidified the bond born out of the holocaust years.

Number 2

Kenya

87% America loving

Lacking the colonial baggage of France and Britain, the American Dream remains a pure notion throughout much of Africa. While hip-hop and R&B artists and star athletes fuel associations of successful blacks throughout the U.S., Kenyans, like many Africans, see a greater opportunity to integrate into American culture than anywhere in Europe.

In addition to such cultural interests, Kenyans tend to think very highly of American democracy and its accomplishments in business, science and technology, which are fields that are seen as key components in Kenya’s fight for a healthier society. We'll see how long Kenya remains an America-loving country as it climbs the geopolitical ranks.

Number 1

Ivory Coast

88% America loving

Following 100 years of French colonial rule and several years of miserable relations with this traditional partner, the Ivory Coast is turning in war-torn waves to the U.S. for an alternate immigration route. Blaming France for civil wars and unfair treatment of immigrants in France, Ivorians are nearly unanimous in their love and praise of the U.S. In a 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 88% of Ivorians loved the States, compared to only 80% of Americans (now that's an American-loving country). With France increasingly seen by former French colonies as an imperial power and a country full of racial tensions, American society provides a model of success on the Ivory Coast.

cry for independence

As you can see, there are a number of America-loving countries out there. Unfortunately, there are many more that are less approving. Granted, we live in a big country that’s pretty isolated from the rest of the world, but we should strive to increase our global consciousness. It may seem unfair that we, as a people, are sometimes judged by our government, but it's our responsibility to help to change such perceptions.

The surprise was that India came in ahead of Canada, which is a country separated from the US only due to a border--not language nor culture!

Edited January 2, 2012 by Saddle Bronc

[bigdog 376]

After going to China, the people like Americans, and lots of city life is just like USA. Government's are the issue not the people.

[N M 96]

Surprised Ireland doesn't feature on that list.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Surprised Ireland doesn't feature on that list.

Why?