this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2025
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I think that's also the US...
Any empire, really.
It varies wildly. Many countries are still quite positive about the US - for all of our sins, and they are many, we also have many incidents of supporting other countries, including during decolonization in the 1950s. Whether or not we were better than the Brits, we certainly had a less overt hand than the world's largest empire and, subsequently, dissolution of empire in independence movements against British rule. The absence of that makes for a bit less hostility.
Ultimately, hagiography of the past (or worse, the present) is always bad. Hagiography blinds and prevents correction. "The first step is admitting you have a problem", and all that jazz.
… or else
I mean many countries are still positive in terms of popular sentiment, not government reactions. "Or else" applies more to government reactions - like many countries in MENA, whose populations tend to be negative about the US, but wherein governments are more conciliatory to prevent the US from leveraging economic pressure.
I think that is a bit of an outdated claim.
Even now, entering into the second Trump administration
Everyone loves us! We'll be greeted as liberators and given a parade!
Typical US imperialism apologia