anti-Americanism

   Opposition or hostility toward the government, culture, or people of the United States. In practice, a broad range of attitudes and actions critical of or opposed to the United States have been labelled anti- Americanism. Contemporary examples typically focus on international opposition to United States policies. It is debatable whether hostile sentiment reflects reasoned evaluation of specific policies and administrations, or a prejudiced belief system.

   The overwhelming global power acquired by the United States in the post-Cold War era and the unilateral exercise of that power, especially after the attack on the World Trade Center, fed the anti-American sentiment contributing to its most militant manifestation. Globally, increases in perceived anti-American attitudes appear to correlate with particular policies, such as the Vietnam and Iraq wars. In Europe as a whole, but also in Britain, public opinion polls have indicated that there is increasing disenchantment with America. The number of people in Britain who value the ‘special relationship’ has declined, as have the numbers seeing the US as a force for good.