Americanism

[GPDP]

I've heard John Pilger use the word "Americanism" to vaguely describe the ideology that drives the US's imperial ambitions. However, could it be there's more to the idea of a unique "American" ideology that, of course, comes from the ruling class, but nevertheless seeps down into all levels of American society? If so, what would such an ideology comprise of? What would the main "core values" of Americanism be?

[Peace on Earth]

The main idea of any "American" ideology is as follows: The United States is the greatest country on the face of the Earth and that we have a duty to spread our values to "primitive" nations.

[fa2991]

If so, what would such an ideology comprise of? What would the main "core values" of Americanism be?

One value, really: "We're better than you."

[TwoSevensClash]

One value, really: "We're better than you."
and we can exploit you in the name of freedom

[Magón]

and we can exploit you in the name of freedom

and we have no remorse doing it.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I've heard John Pilger use the word "Americanism" to vaguely describe the ideology that drives the US's imperial ambitions. However, could it be there's more to the idea of a unique "American" ideology that, of course, comes from the ruling class, but nevertheless seeps down into all levels of American society? If so, what would such an ideology comprise of? What would the main "core values" of Americanism be?

Constitutionalism.

Hardt & Negri make the case in Empire that the constitutional model of government has been extremely influential, even in the global arena.

[Proletarian Ultra]

Ideology is the discourse of social reproduction. Or in other words, it's what someone's livelihood depends on thinking and more importantly not thinking. Understood properly, ideology is precisely what we don't think of as ideological.

"The Bush administration ought to be prosecuted." A statement like this will get shouted down as 'too ideological' - but it's not ideological at all. If you are in any position of authority in this country it will get you laughed off as a crank, or worse. Career ender. So even if you think it, you go about your life acting as if you don't think it - in which case, does it even matter? You can say it only if you inhabit some sort of 'progressive' niche - i.e. if you have no chance of actually bringing it about.

Ideology is what no one really believes - or would never believe if they sat down to think about it - but everybody has to act like they believe. So in effect, they do.

Here are some common ideological tics you find in 'neutral' American political coverage:

'Centrists' are great statesmen.
What senators have to say is interesting.
The deficit is a big problem! But high-income tax cuts are a separate issue.
Government-run healthcare is out of the question.
Economic inequality is boring to talk about.

In fact, everyone knows that Ben Nelson and Olympia Snowe are dimwitted opportunist hacks, that senators in general are idiots, that basic math exists, that countries with state-run healthcare get a much better deal than us, and that the working class is getting crushed and is more than a little interested in why.

But you can't fucking say it or they stick you in a corner!

That's ideology. Americanism is every nitwit thought-blockage that keeps this shitty country running the way it does.

[gorillafuck]

"Americanism" to me sounds like American nationalism basically, in that America as a nation is to be elevated above other nations and that Americans are a better people than those of other nations. It's jingoistic, racist, and serves the ruling class of the USA. I don't see much more to it.

[Rusty Shackleford]

a part of the american "way" of things i think really grows out of manifest destiny. its tied to nationalism and expansion.

After WWII the US really exploded onto the scene with the newest(as of the late 1800s) and most complete(fully developed by the 40s) form of imperialism. the whole goal of the american bourgeoisie is to export culture to make everyone more like us. when that happens, there are then markets with trends that are easier to follow and easier to market to. since the 80s, we also use most of the rest of the world for out industrial production.

its like old imperialism in a way but the US really exemplifies financial imperialism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNGOpyWWOs