America bashing

In the aftermath of September 11, several commentators mentioned that vicious anti-Americanism was one of the few prejudices it was okay to air in “polite company” in Europe. There’s another wave of anti-Americanism over here, of the sophisticated, intellectual sort, rather than vicious. But I think it’s motivated my many of the same prejudices as the more irrational sort.

I’ve already referred to Will Hutton’s new book on economics, which plumps for a European-style capitalism versus and American one. In Prospect Magazine, Tim Garton-Ash and Will Hutton have a lively exchange on the US and Europe. Garton-Ash, to my mind, pins Hutton down pretty well. As a historian, Tim gives him too easy a ride, however, on the economic issues.

Interestingly, Ian Buruma reckons there is a coterie of Americans eager to be bashed.