Well...with foreign eyes...I'd say (with all due respect): not quite.
Watching the American movies from the forties-fifties...I think: where's the difference with today? Similar way of thinking. Similar people.
American movies from the 40s and 50s were far different than what came out in later decades. But many older policies and attitudes from that era have fallen by the wayside. In fact, a lot of the old movies from those decades, particularly westerns and the standard "Cowboys and Indians" fare, have been roundly criticized in more recent times for its stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans. Supreme Court landmark decisions outlawing segregation came in the 50s and 60s, and the Civil Rights Act and many key events in the Civil Rights Movement took place in the 1960s. Plus, there was the anti-war movement and strong push towards liberalism and social justice which brought about many changes and reforms.
Reagan was kind of a throwback and encouraged more regressive policies. The Democrats could not beat them, so in essence, they joined them. So, America probably did regress in some ways, but with a relatively modern twist (which included corporate-inspired "political correctness"). But I would say that America has also changed a lot, too.
The Germans of today are another species. It's like those Germans who elected Nazis were an other species...darwinistically speaking.
Same thing as for Italians.
I have never understood my grandparents. They were another generation...and the generation gap between us millennials and those who lived WW2 is not a gap...it's an incredibly deep chasm.
It's like we even spoke two different languages...actually we did. I couldn't understand their dialect...and they couldn't understand my Italian.
I don't know how different the Germans or Italians might be from what they were during WW2. I suppose one could draw an analogy to American history, considering the history of expansionism, racism, and other policies commonly associated with right-wing fascism and warmongering. Compared to what we were 100-200 years ago, we're a completely different species now (but that doesn't mean we're that much "better").
The notion of taming may make sense.
The problem is the means. The end doesn't justify the means.
You can also tame nations through love, diplomacy, peaceful methods.
Ukraine and Russia can become democratic through love and good relations. Not with nukes.
Yes, having good relations is an important component. I get the sense that US foreign policymakers aren't really trying hard enough. They seem to resort to the stick more often than the carrot.
I think we missed our chance with Russia. In the past couple of years, America has moved to the top of Russia's **** list. It'll probably be a long time before we can ever get to a point where we can have good relations.
The book and movie White Fang shows all this, since we are speaking of taming. Through love and affection, the protagonist turned a wild wolf, White Fang into a cuddling pet.
Reminds me of this scene:
And I have examples. How India became independent.
Yes, the history of India's independence is also quite fascinating. The European colonies were already starting to get more restless after WW1, so it had to happen sooner or later. But there were still a great many problems. The partitioning of Pakistan and India has led to ongoing difficulties between those countries. They also partitioned Palestine, and we can see how that's turned out. And the countries of Africa have borders which were drawn up in Europe, and they've been stuck with it ever since.
India is large enough and powerful enough now that they don't have to dance to anyone's tune, but it seems clear that they don't see eye to eye with the West in terms of geopolitics.
With all due respect...but as an European it doesn't make sense at all.
The first part is very true. After Europe was freed from the Nazis, we Italians and Germans have been moulding our civilization around the myth of the American-savior, that taught us that war and imperialism are monstrous and disgusting.
In our constitution we use the term "Italy repudiates war as instrument of settling controversies". Repudiate in Italian (ripudiare) implies disgust and repulsion towards something primitive.
In the American Constitution there will never be the expression "America repudiates and repels war as system and as instrument".
Never. Not even in 300 years.
So...when USA went to wage wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan...we were shocked.
It's like as if we were alcoholics and our loving parent (America) saved us with rehab and now we despise alcohol.
And then we find out that our loving parent drinks alcohol 24/7. It's shocking.
Interesting viewpoint. During my lifetime, my observation is that Americans have tended to view Europe as our NATO allies. We have had bases and military personnel in Europe since WW2. Of course, I've known more than a few Americans who feel that America has unnecessarily burdened itself and believe that Europe can take care of itself. But European NATO members have participated in various US military actions, at least to some degree or another. When France balked about the US wanting to go into Iraq, Americans were led to react with irritation and disdain, which is when that whole "freedom fries" business came up. My sense is that, in addition to everything else surrounding that war, the warmongers seemingly had quite a few shills out there working the public.
In America, the big slogans revolve around "freedom" and "democracy," but whatever peace-loving or anti-war sentiment which once existed has apparently diminished greatly since the height of the anti-war movement. It seems that most of the public never really bought in to that whole "peace and love" thing. War is too deeply embedded in the national fabric to be something that would ever really go away. A case can certainly be made for not fighting any unnecessary wars or wars which don't involve us directly. But our country was founded in war. Our National Anthem is about war, as it was written during a war. "Land of the free and home of the brave."
George Carlin pointed out that America is a warlike country:
