Troy Hottle, Steven Milcinovic, Seth Ostheimer, and Steven Shaak
Turkish Sky.
Photo: Megan Taylor.
Uncertainty is the prevailing force of our world. Whether it is a genetic mutation which allows for greater adaptation to an environment, the inability to determine the exact movement of an atom the closer it is inspected, or the future of the world and our place within it. The American political system is no different. When the political winds blow and public opinion changes, America has experienced dramatic, unforeseen shifts in its national character and international action.
The view of America’s role in the world is dominated by the swing of political control and the will of the American people. We have felt some animosity during our visits to several different countries yet at the same time we brought money and were hospitably welcomed by the tourist industries. We were known for our President and our wars in the Middle East and not our countries charitable output which is currently the largest of any country. Our conversations with the people we have met continually revolved around the current primary races and our stand on the war and our current president. While in India we read a humorous editorial that articulated that all citizens of the world should have a right to vote in American elections because the decisions that the office makes affects the entire world for better or for worse. Of the close to dozen people we have talked to about the presidential race all but one wanted Obama to win, the other wanted who ever was willing to prosecute Bush for war crimes. Not once did we hear anyone say that they were hoping McCain would win but across the board the thought was that anyone would be better than Bush.
Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
Photo: Troy Hottle.
The United States have arguably never had a more interesting primary race on either the republican or democratic sides with the possible exception of Theodore Roosevelt’s bid against his old friend and then incumbent president Robert Taft. While all this has gone on we have discovered that many of those abroad know more about the American political system than our fellow students at Hiram and on this trip. Despite the media frenzy surrounding this event and the apparent importance that this election holds on world perception it is alarming how little other Americans seem to care. We don’t know what effects any of the candidates will have if elected on the world perception and we don’t even know who will be elected. What we do know is that we no longer want to be ashamed of our ambassador to the world.
The dramatic international events of the past several years has gone far to erode opinions of America. The future of our lives and the world is tied in with the American political system. Though we are unable as individuals to guide the political direction of our country, the course can be influenced by action. Though still uncertain, we can be sure that action can produce powerful results and the development of political opinions will change our country. A shift in global attitudes towards the United States will follow the responsible actions of the government which is accountable to us.
Troy Hottle, Steve Milcinovic, Seth Ostheimer and Steve Shaak
hottle at hiram.edu
last updated 23 March 2008
Banner Photo by Mathew J. Wilson