HON351, American Ideals in Global Perspective
Spring Semester 2008
Study Guide
Is America Number 1?
Reading Assignment
Dominique Moisi, "The Clash of Emotions: Fear, Humiliation, Hope, and the New World Order," Foreign Affairs, Vol. 86, No. 1, January/February 2007, pp. 8-12.
Minxin Pei, "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism," Foreign Policy, Vol. 136, May/June 2003, pp. 31-37.
Other articles (optional)
"Milton Friedman, 94, Free-Market Economist, Dies," New York Times, November 17, 2006
"Is America Still No. 1?" Parade Magazine, January 16, 2007
"Numbers Show a Second-Rate US," Christian Science Monitor, August 28, 2006
Questions to consider while reading the Moisi article
1. What does this French author mean when he suggests that the United States and Europe display a "culture of fear"? How do the anxieties of Americans and Europeans differ?
2. What does he mean when he refers to the "culture of humiliation" that traps Muslims and Arabs?
3. What does he mean by the "culture of hope" displayed by much of Asia?
4. Do you agree with the author's characterizations of these major parts of the contemporary world?
Questions to consider while reading the Pei article:
1. What is nationalism? Can a distinction be drawn between nationalism and patriotism?
2. How do Americans express their nationalism/patriotism? How does the level of nationalism of Americans compare with nationalism of citizens of other countries?
3. How does the nature of American nationalism tend to differ from nationalism in other countries?
4. In what ways does American nationalism complicate relations with other countries?
Questions to consider while viewing the film "Is America #1?"
1. According to Stoessel, what American values account for the success of the United States?
2. According to Stoessel, what values and practices have hindered the progress of other countries?
3. Do you fully agree with the arguments made by Stoessel in the film? Are there any downsides to the American values that he applauds?