An Indian view on America and it's policies

http://desicritics.org/2007/02/23/123556.php


The above website offers primarily South Asian views on the world, and the specific article i chose offers an Indian perspective on America and its policies. Ramachandra Guna is a native to India, and is now an academic and historian for his people; and as such offers an intelligent and insightful view as to how he was raised to view America and what Indians in general think of it in the present day.

His main view of America is that of a contradicting society, "deeply democratic and instinctively imperialistic", and an arrogance based on its high value for money and growing consumer capitalism. Growing up he acknowledges that the majority of Indians saw America as a bully and manipulator of power, especially in regards to international organisations and the benefit they could pose to the American economy. His also refers to them as "land invaders", and highlights the distaste Indians have for the Americans with regards to their violation of global treaties, and disregard for strictures placed by the International Court of Justice.

Guna's view is in some ways typically understandable; he was raised in a Communist society wherein social welfare was a high priority and obligations to other nations, without monetary gains, were thought especially highly of. America, a powerfully independent nation that appears to often act on its own behalf and else wise stay isolated, would instinctively be thought less of from their perspective.

The USA is also well known for being an anti-communist country, and it is to be expected that those who come from a socialist background would find America's tactics selfish and distasteful - which also explains their dissatisfaction with American consumerism and the effect it is having on the wider world.

Guna has been to America to study, unlike the majority of Indian natives, and as such was able to offer a slightly more positive perspective to consider. He recognised that Americans were particularly proud and hardworking, even in comparison to his own culture, and found their independence and absence of caste/class distinctions refreshing. He also points out that Indians often overlook the positive sides to America, such as the above, and indeed the high level of equality, social mobility and the scrutiny to which they subject their own internal affairs.

I would suggest that given the high level of accuracy behind his explanations, Guna's account of Indian feelings towards Americans and their policies is completely understandable; especially when the country's history and current events are taken into account. When he points out that India may be more democratic than other South Asian countries, but has also been accused of bullying tactics and power playing, he also focuses on a shallow enchantment India is developing with America, and in some ways could be seen to blame America for the change of direction his own country is now making.