US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up. Bloomberg
US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up. Bloomberg

Does the ‘greatness and genius of America’ still stand?



Every year, pundits forecast China's inexorable rise to superpower status and the end of the American century, a warning that has seemed ever more prescient since Donald Trump's election as US president.

How then to explain the mostly flattering findings of a study on American democracy conducted by a non-profit organisation called the Eurasia Group Foundation? The inquiry focused on eight countries’ view of the American political system. The questions were couched in the mundane language of public opinion polling but their scope could be seen as more far-reaching.

It seemed as if the study was trying to get to the heart of whether the US, led by the unilateralist Mr Trump, was as attractive at nearly 250 years old as it was in its early years. In its 50th year, the French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville toured the young republic and wrote an admiring critique of the bold new American experiment. De Tocqueville's 1831 study Democracy in America has long been influential but do its conclusions on the "greatness and genius of America" still stand?

The Eurasia Group Foundation poll didn’t mention De Tocqueville but its thrust is linked to the effect the young United States had on the Frenchman - or any foreigner, for that matter. It begs the question: does American democracy still leave the wider world in awe? Does it inspire imitation?

For the most part, yes, says the study. The Chinese, Indians, Nigerians, Poles and Brazilians took a generous view of the US political system or at least some of its characteristics. The Japanese and Germans, not so much. Egypt took a mixed view. Twice as many Egyptians liked American ideas of democracy as disliked them. But only about one quarter of Egyptians had a favourable opinion of the US itself.

The fans of American democracy today are an unlikely bunch. There is China: 42.4 per cent had a somewhat favourable view of US democracy. And there is India, the world's largest democracy by the size of its population, of whom 49.8 per cent took a very favourable view of the US system; 36.3 per cent a somewhat favourable one. In Brazil, more than one-third took a very favourable view. Poland was pretty similar, with 39.5 per cent taking a very favourable view. But it was Nigeria, the youngest democracy among the countries surveyed, which was the most admiring of the US, with 55.6 per cent taking a very favourable view and 26.6 per cent a somewhat favourable one.

Might this suggest America is a beacon of sorts for young democracies and for countries such as China that have alternative political systems? And might this explain why respondents in Germany and Japan, countries that are fiercely proud of their own political culture and system, saw little to commend in the US? Only 13.4 per cent of German respondents took a somewhat favourable view and 4.9 per cent a very favourable one of the US. In Japan, as few as 2 per cent held a very favourable opinion. This might seem somewhat surprising because both Germany and Japan have been close allies of the US, despite being adversaries during the Second World War. Additionally, the US contributed substantially to the re-building of what was then West Germany and has promised to be Japan’s chief defender in case of attack since the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Co-operation and Security.

It is the German and Chinese attitude to America’s political system and its perceived influence on the world that might offer the biggest clues to what democracy in America means today, long after De Tocqueville. China’s generally benign opinion might seem odd, considering its trade war and geopolitical rivalry with the US. But the study was conducted last autumn when the Trump administration’s additional tariffs on Chinese imports had just come into effect.

At the time, China adopted a pragmatic, long-term view. A similar study today might elicit different answers - but perhaps not substantially so. The Chinese would probably still say, as they did in the study, that the US should “focus on the flaws in its own political system instead of focusing on the political systems of other countries”. And they might still express admiration for American democracy.

As for Germany, its view of the US is deeply tied in with disapproval of Mr Trump’s leadership, as well as the federal government’s refusal to do much about climate change or lessen income inequality within the country.

Interestingly, the main takeaway from the study is the extent to which disparate countries see the continuing possibilities for change and renewal in the American system. In this, the world’s view remains at one with De Tocqueville, who wrote that the greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.

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Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
  • Floor Standing - Dh495
  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

RESULT

Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)

Match on Bein Sports