Monday, May 4, 2009

Americans Are Tuning Out the World by Alkman Granitsas

Within the first few paragraphs Granitsas presents some interesting facts that back up the claim that Americans are becoming more and more disengaged with the rest of the world. For example, the American public has paid less attention to foreign affairs and does not keep up to date with what is going on thousands of miles away from home; the percentage of American university students taking a foreign language has dropped to half of what it used to be; fewer and fewer Americans have passports or travel overseas; and media coverage of foreign affairs is becoming slimmer. I thought these were all very interesting facts. Alkman Granitsas presents some very interesting thoughts as to why this may be happening: For the past 45 years Americans have witnessed a massive immigration boom. It seems like everyone else is coming here. Why would Americans want to look to the rest of the world? Much of the last two decades most Americans have seen their economic well-being grow relative to the rest of the world. Granitsas couldn't put it any simpler here. I dont think too many people think about this but, if life here is so good and the rest of the world is coming to us, why would it be any better where they are from? I think what Granitsas is asking us is this: If America is to remain a strong international power, should we not be more interactive with the world outside of our boundaries? If not how will we be able to be the strong and influencial voice for other countries that everyone perceives America to be?

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