Poll: "US greatest threat to democracy"

[523]

Despite the US attempting to portray itself as a defender of human rights, freedom, and democracy, it seems that the rest of the world doesn't see it in such a light. A recent survey of 53 nation's participants seems to suggest the opposite, with many finding the US as a threat to democracy.

To quote NPR:

44% of those surveyed said another threat to democracy worldwide is the influence of the United States. That ranked higher than the influence of China or Russia.

The Guardian also noted:

In perhaps the most startling finding, nearly half (44%) of respondents in the 53 countries surveyed are concerned that the US threatens democracy in their country; fear of Chinese influence is by contrast 38%, and fear of Russian influence is lowest at 28%.

Certainly, this is an interesting development, and seems to suggest that the US's facade is finally fading away. I also believe the US is a major threat to democratic freedoms with its intervenionism and economic imperialism. NSG, what do you think?

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Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... lobal-poll
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/05/99375439 ... 0832788646

[Austreylia]

You're acting as if this is some kind of groundbreaking, shock-horror event for America.

It isn't. This has been pretty much common knowledge for years and years.

[Traden]

Australia is mistaken, as both articles were only made a week ago.

[Dejado Atras]

Anyone who thinks that the US is the greatest threat to democracy and human rights worldwide needs to put down the joint and ice their ego.

Besides, we aren’t the only nation on earth that sticks our fingers where they shouldn’t. Superpowers and smaller nations alike practice international meddling and subterfuge. Doesn’t make it right of course but it’s not an American-centric phenomenon. Besides, China, Iran, NK and other states aren’t what I would call paradiso’s.

[Austreylia]

Australia is mistaken, as both articles were only made a week ago.

What...?

Anyone who thinks that the US is the greatest threat to democracy and human rights worldwide needs to put down the joint and ice their ego.

You're right. They're a threat, but not the greatest one.

[Arisyan]

While not the biggest, I think it's up there with China and Russia. I mean, the CIA has toppled a bunch of democratically elected socialist regimes, and the country itself has experienced a massive democratic backsliding recently.

[The Reformed American Republic]

Our government is pretty corrupt, and I do not think we are a champian of democracy, but to say we're the greatest threat is a stretch. We're probably on par with a country like Russia.

[Major-Tom]

I think a lot of those nations surveyed obviously have the wrong idea. If you're someone who has grievances toward America and you live in, say, a developing country where American foreign policy has screwed you over in the past, obviously you might answer "America" per this particular survey.

But it wouldn't make you right, even if those grievances are legitimate. Similarly, I think there is a lot to be said about America's tenuous relationship with democracy abroad, but as of current, we're doing a lot better than China or Russia in that category.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

I think a lot of those nations surveyed obviously have the wrong idea. If you're someone who has grievances toward America and you live in, say, a developing country where American foreign policy has screwed you over in the past, obviously you might answer "America" per this particular survey.

But it wouldn't make you right, even if those grievances are legitimate. Similarly, I think there is a lot to be said about America's tenuous relationship with democracy abroad, but as of current, we're doing a lot better than China or Russia in that category.

Maybe internally, but the US has had more reach abroad, supporting fascist regimes all over the world to curb soviet influence. So yeah, of you are in a country where democracy has been undermined by American foreign policy, you might see thr US as a big threat to democracy. And you’d be right.

[Traden]

Australia is mistaken, as both articles were only made a week ago.

What...?

Really, check the release date.

[The Reformed American Republic]

I think a lot of those nations surveyed obviously have the wrong idea. If you're someone who has grievances toward America and you live in, say, a developing country where American foreign policy has screwed you over in the past, obviously you might answer "America" per this particular survey.

But it wouldn't make you right, even if those grievances are legitimate. Similarly, I think there is a lot to be said about America's tenuous relationship with democracy abroad, but as of current, we're doing a lot better than China or Russia in that category.

Indeed. The U.S. isn't this shining beacon on a hill that all countries cannot wait to emulate, but to say we're the worst in the world is in itself propaganda, usually be those who want to portray China as benign. Our influence isn't good, but not so much worse than any of the other players.

[Austreylia]

What...?

Really, check the release date.

I was saying that it has been common knowledge for years that America is not the champion of freedom and democracy that it presents itself as, not referring to the two individual articles.

What is it with NSG and ridiculous arguments today?

[Borderlands of Rojava]

In other not-surprising news the sky is blue. And nobody wants to visit Blackpool. Now into sports, the Lions lost a game again, this time against the Cowboys. It wasn't even close.

Coming up next on Captain Obvious News Network, 100% of drunk drivers consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

I think a lot of those nations surveyed obviously have the wrong idea. If you're someone who has grievances toward America and you live in, say, a developing country where American foreign policy has screwed you over in the past, obviously you might answer "America" per this particular survey.

But it wouldn't make you right, even if those grievances are legitimate. Similarly, I think there is a lot to be said about America's tenuous relationship with democracy abroad, but as of current, we're doing a lot better than China or Russia in that category.

Not a China fan but i don't remember China waging a war halfway around the world from itself, unlike us.

[Honeydewistania]

No shit, Sherlock.

[Stellar Colonies]

I think a lot of those nations surveyed obviously have the wrong idea. If you're someone who has grievances toward America and you live in, say, a developing country where American foreign policy has screwed you over in the past, obviously you might answer "America" per this particular survey.

But it wouldn't make you right, even if those grievances are legitimate. Similarly, I think there is a lot to be said about America's tenuous relationship with democracy abroad, but as of current, we're doing a lot better than China or Russia in that category.

Not a China fan but i don't remember China waging a war halfway around the world from itself, unlike us.

To be fair, they haven't really had the projection capabilities or leeway from the established global superpower to do so until recently, and arguably still do not.

[The Opinions Guy]

Can someone explain to me how the United States, one of the largest (albeit flawed) representative democracies in the world and a member of NATO, is a greater threat to democracy than China, an authoritarian state that has a stated goal of annexing a peaceful democratic Island nation (Taiwan) and has stamped out democracy in Hong Kong, or Russia, a corrupt plutocracy that is threatening a large democracy on its border with invasion (Ukraine)?

[Borderlands of Rojava]

Can someone explain to me how the United States, one of the largest (albeit flawed) representative democracies in the world and a member of NATO, is a greater threat to democracy than China, an authoritarian state that has a stated goal of annexing a peaceful democratic Island nation (Taiwan) and has stamped out democracy in Hong Kong, or Russia, a corrupt plutocracy that is threatening a large democracy on its border with invasion (Ukraine)?

Because those countries don't travel halfway around the world to wage war on others. Btw the representative democracy of America has a history of overthrowing democratic governments and replacing them with brutal murderous tyrants like in Chile.

[Stellar Colonies]

Can someone explain to me how the United States, one of the largest (albeit flawed) representative democracies in the world and a member of NATO, is a greater threat to democracy than China, an authoritarian state that has a stated goal of annexing a peaceful democratic Island nation (Taiwan) and has stamped out democracy in Hong Kong, or Russia, a corrupt plutocracy that is threatening a large democracy on its border with invasion (Ukraine)?

Because they've overthrown slews of democratically-elected governments and either directly established dictatorial puppets and tolerated them being so all over the place, most notably in Latin America.

Of course, that does not mean Russia and the PRC would be any better (because of course they would not) as the countries in charge.

[The Reformed American Republic]

Not a China fan but i don't remember China waging a war halfway around the world from itself, unlike us.

To be fair, they haven't really had the projection capabilities or leeway from the established global superpower to do so until recently, and arguably still do not.

Exactly. China would happily intervene if they had the power to do so and it served their interests.

[Stellar Colonies]

To be fair, they haven't really had the projection capabilities or leeway from the established global superpower to do so until recently, and arguably still do not.

Exactly. China would happily intervene if they had the power to do so and it served their interests.

Indeed.

[Nakena]

I think a lot of those nations surveyed obviously have the wrong idea. If you're someone who has grievances toward America and you live in, say, a developing country where American foreign policy has screwed you over in the past, obviously you might answer "America" per this particular survey.

But it wouldn't make you right, even if those grievances are legitimate. Similarly, I think there is a lot to be said about America's tenuous relationship with democracy abroad, but as of current, we're doing a lot better than China or Russia in that category.

Not a China fan but i don't remember China waging a war halfway around the world from itself, unlike us.

They simply have less... spectacular methods of expanding their turf and enforcing their interests.

[The Reformed American Republic]

Not a China fan but i don't remember China waging a war halfway around the world from itself, unlike us.

They simply have less... spectacular methods of expanding their turf and enforcing their interests.

They also have an inferior military so far. That of course can change in the future.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

Not a China fan but i don't remember China waging a war halfway around the world from itself, unlike us.

They simply have less... spectacular methods of expanding their turf and enforcing their interests.

They do, but for now that isn't gonna concern people the way bombings do. I frankly would like to see any and all representatives of the Communist Chinese Party removed from America and banned from returning alongside those of the Turkish, Russian, Saudi and Israeli governments, but it's just a dream.

[Socialist States of Ludistan]

Calling them a threat is maybe a boy overkill, calling them the greatest threat is simply just dumb. Yes, they aren’t great, nor even good when it comes to democracy. But they’re better than some countries, and their democracy works, in its own weird way. Perhaps they’re a threat to European democracy? Anyway, there’s bigger threats out there, I’m not worried about the US for now.