Newsweek reports United States is the 2nd most hated country in the world

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smiley said:
yea wez tryin to hold them back from the south pacific isles whilst 'renting out our ports'? no sense there? - how much rent were they paying for example?
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A 99 year lease? On very reasonable terms, I would surmise, but not for the people of Darwin.
 

Paco Dennis said:
The military veteran’s perspective reflects a pragmatic, America-first worldview that prioritizes U.S. interests over global perceptions. However, his stance is flawed for several reasons:

### 1. **Dismissing Global Opinion Can Be Strategically Dangerous**
- While existentialism isn’t a "popularity contest," international relations *are*. Alliances, trade agreements, and diplomatic cooperation rely on trust and mutual respect.
- If the U.S. is widely disliked, it becomes harder to rally support for sanctions, military actions, or global initiatives (e.g., countering China, climate agreements).
- History shows that unchecked unilateralism (e.g., Iraq War backlash) can isolate the U.S. and empower adversaries.

### 2. **"Hate Is Inevitable" Is a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy**
- Yes, powerful nations will always face resentment, but that doesn’t mean the U.S. should ignore *why* some nations resent it.
- Much anti-U.S. sentiment stems from specific policies (e.g., drone strikes, sanctions, support for authoritarian regimes)—not just envy or irrational hatred.
- Assuming hate is unavoidable can justify reckless actions that *increase* hostility unnecessarily.

### 3. **"The U.S. Fixes More Than Most" Is a Selective Narrative**
- The U.S. has indeed contributed to global stability (Marshall Plan, disease eradication, disaster relief), but it has also:
- Overthrown democracies (Iran 1953, Chile 1973).
- Backed brutal regimes (Saudi Arabia, Cold War proxies).
- Ignored treaties (Paris Accord, UN Human Rights Council under Trump).
- Many nations (especially in the Global South) see the U.S. as a destabilizing force, not a benevolent fixer.

### 4. **"There’s the Door" Ignores Interdependence**
- The U.S. cannot thrive in isolation. It depends on:
- Global supply chains (e.g., semiconductors, rare earth minerals).
- Cooperation against transnational threats (pandemics, cyberattacks).
- Allies to counterbalance China and Russia.
- Telling critics to "leave" assumes the U.S. doesn’t need them—a dangerous illusion in a multipolar world.

### 5. **Moral Leadership Matters**
- The veteran’s stance reduces foreign policy to pure transactional power, ignoring that U.S. influence has long relied on *soft power* (culture, ideals, diplomacy).
- If the U.S. openly scorns global opinion, it cedes moral authority to rivals (e.g., China’s "non-interference" propaganda).

### **Conclusion**
The veteran isn’t *entirely* wrong—the U.S. can’t please everyone, and some hatred is inevitable. But dismissing all criticism as irrelevant is shortsighted. A smarter approach:
- **Acknowledge legitimate grievances** (e.g., past interventions, hypocrisy on human rights).
- **Choose battles wisely**—avoid unnecessary conflicts that fuel resentment.
- **Leverage alliances** instead of alienating them.

Strength isn’t just about ignoring hate—it’s about minimizing it where possible and managing it where it’s not.

That was "deepseek.ai
I gave up on making sense.
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The curious thing about your opinions is they're not. You rely on AI to do your thinking for you, seems to me.

I said nothing about criticism. I specifically mentioned hatred. Two distinct things. I'm not going to get into the weeds about this with you since nothing you or your AI buddy is going to change my mind about the love I have for my country -- and your right to speak your mind, even with AI's "assistance".
 
January said:
and s o do other people about their countries.

No issue with americans or anyone loving their country - the issue was with people then claiming everyone else was jealous and wanted to live there - no they dont, they feel same about their country and want to stay there, as you do about yours.
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My comments obliquely referred to the OP in my post. I was late to the discussion and, as is often the case, lots of opinions get trotted out along the way.

Of course most people appreciate and love their country. I never said anything to the contrary. The OP spent a considerable amount of time criticizing his own country -- that's his right, and I support that. Doesn't mean I agree with it.

I wanted to be the fly in his ointment.
 

My opinion of the 4 reasons described in the article about hate.

1. "trying to influence international events in a way that benefits the U.S.,"

Right now tarrifs are the hot topic.

The country with the largest trade deficit is the United States. The US trade deficit reached a record $1.2 trillion in 2024. This is primarily due to four major trade deficits: with China, Mexico, Vietnam, and Ireland.
Google Search

1.2 trillion trade deficit is a lot of money. Brutal & chaotic but fits the reason for hate by
"trying to influence international events in a way that benefits the U.S.,"

2. "Deep and increasingly hostile political division between liberals and conservatives."

Makes sense. Democrats fighting tooth & nail in sanctuary cities to keep the criminal element of illegal thugs here. Democrats fighting against the effort to reduce the debt & deficit by actually looking into the fraud & abuse of various government agencies.

3."Americans' love of firearms and fast food"

Now is that truly something to hate? Maybe someone can explain how that impacts the lives & lively hood of those in other countries.

4."perceived sense of entitlement among Americans."

An entitlement is the right to a particular privilege or benefit, granted by law or custom.

https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/entitlement#:~:text=An entitlement is the right,you reach a certain age.

I speak for myself. I'm glad I was born in America. The country where millions enter illegally from all over the world to escape the lack of benefits granted by law or custom.

Hatred is a strong word. With millions entering illegally IMO Envy fits better.

painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/envy
 
January said:
Of course it isn't perfect here or anywhere and nobody claimed it was. But the gun death rate is Way under that of USA - that isnt my perception or a media coverage issue, it is fact.
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You’re comparing two very different animals. Australia doesn’t have a minority population like the United States does that commits over half of all homicides while making up only about 13% of the population. Nor does Australia share a 2,000-mile border with a violent, cartel-plagued third-world nation like Mexico, where drug trafficking, human smuggling, and gang violence routinely spill across the border. So yes, the challenges are different and pretending they're equivalent doesn’t help anyone understand the depth of the issues the USA faces. So don’t pat yourselves on the back and act all sanctimonious because it’s not a level playing field, and you know it.
 
no one said it was a level playing field - we're just commenting on styles of govt - and leaders and how they serve their peoples - suggesting that they want to take over Greenland and Canada as future states of USA is not a sensible way to go - that is childishness- provocative childishness
 
I have travelled to CA and USA - met some lovely polite peoples - when the phrase " the USA is the second most hated country in the world" is used; well for one I just do not believe that - faulty stats and faulty stats collecting - done enough of my own research to realize how careful you have to be in this field! I cannot recall meeting even one obnoxious person in either country on my sojourns.

However as we know perceptions of other countries is usually arrived at through government representation and public appearance and announcements by heads of Govts. Sometimes 'trumpeted' loud and clear and through the media of TV cameras. And then followed through sometimes by designed actions. The images of our countries particularly when turned into political actions are what stands out and sometimes hurt the most both for user and those used upon? NB: however remember there is also the "thick skin" phenomena that lurks about and is hard to soften sometimes?
 
well old adage in research - go back sometimes and check at the beginning - you may have left something behind ?? - World Most Hated Countries - well first if you look at the map provided first is China according to their research [which may be suspect?] second is Usa and third is Russia.

Some major reasons for China are : The World Population Review cites multiple reasons for negative public perceptions of China, including its "authoritarian regime," the alleged use of sweatshops, its contribution to pollution, its refusal to grant independence to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau and its treatment of the Uyghur people.

and for Russia:
Similarly, with Russia, "the Russian government is also known for severely restricting both personal rights and freedoms and democracy as a whole," the World Population Review says.

It also cites Moscow's war in Ukraine, describing the country as a "bullish aggressor."

and USA:
"While this country's appearance on the 'most hated' list may surprise many Americans, few Asians or Europeans will bat an eyelash," it added.

On top of this, the U.S. often draws ire with its culture wars, the Review says – "Deep and increasingly hostile political division between liberals and conservatives."

It also cites "Americans' love of firearms and fast food" and a "perceived sense of entitlement among Americans."

I personal think they have the USA and Russia the wrong way around?

I have worked in the world of research myself and this mode and style is a tricky one - the appear to be relying on public interviewing and opinion - fraught with emotions and personal and sometimes distorted opinions. Sounds to me like a pinch of salt is needed - I can for example understand people disliking any of us including USA but that is often fueled by distorted views and emotions and what we've seen on TV.

Measuring emotions can be a very tricky technique - you as a researcher may be calm and collected but by definition you would be encouraging the interviewee to "vent their spleen " if they wished. If I was asked to professionally make comments about this study I would need to see all methodologies used and reviewed demonstrations of how it was done. At the moment I think we are reading too much into this??

I would perhaps suggest that America is much lower down on a list of "World Most Hated Countries" in reality - not without faults of course - none of us are but research is a tricky field and easily manipulated. Welcome home USA - now I just wanna make a few suggestions for change?? hahaha
 
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oslooskar said:
You’re comparing two very different animals. Australia doesn’t have a minority population like the United States does that commits over half of all homicides while making up only about 13% of the population. Nor does Australia share a 2,000-mile border with a violent, cartel-plagued third-world nation like Mexico, where drug trafficking, human smuggling, and gang violence routinely spill across the border. So yes, the challenges are different and pretending they're equivalent doesn’t help anyone understand the depth of the issues the USA faces. So don’t pat yourselves on the back and act all sanctimonious because it’s not a level playing field, and you know it.
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I think the challenges are more to do with gun laws and gun culture - but whatever they are, the fact remains that gun deaths per capita are far greater in US.
That's just a simple fact. not my perception or a media presentation thing - just a simple statement of fact.
 
there is a "wild west" genome that has been transferred and never removed at the birth of a new nation - there seems only two options - do wot Oz did and ban all guns and collect them in or continue with your "wild west" image? You saw the Indians and wanted guns?
 
Eupher said:
The curious thing about your opinions is they're not. You rely on AI to do your thinking for you, seems to me.

I said nothing about criticism. I specifically mentioned hatred. Two distinct things. I'm not going to get into the weeds about this with you since nothing you or your AI buddy is going to change my mind about the love I have for my country -- and your right to speak your mind, even with AI's "assistance".
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My AI buddy is wild :) Imagine being mad at a calculator for doing math faster than you. But sure, let’s play your way: Next time I’ll carve my critiques into stone tablets so you know they’re ‘authentic.’ :) Meanwhile, maybe ask why the U.S. needs to veto peace resolutions if it’s so infallible."
 
That is another reason the world hates us. We veto peace resolutions at the UN. Google it. It is mind numbing. How the whole world wants peace, knows peace, wants peace but the US veto's the resolution. I will quit doing the research for these claims. Some people get annoyed. So google this, and find out for yourself how angry these nations are because the US opposes their resolutions of peace.
 
January said:
I think the challenges are more to do with gun laws and gun culture - but whatever they are, the fact remains that gun deaths per capita are far greater in US. That's just a simple fact. not my perception or a media presentation thing - just a simple statement of fact.
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Yes, the raw numbers on gun deaths per capita are a fact, but so is the context behind them. You’re trying to isolate one variable (guns) and treat it like the whole equation, while ignoring the demographic, geographic, and criminal dynamics that make the U.S. uniquely vulnerable to gun violence. Australia doesn’t have a large, chronically violent underclass concentrated in major cities. It doesn’t have widespread gang warfare driven by a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline pouring in from a porous southern border. And it doesn’t have the same deep urban crime patterns that drive U.S. homicide stats disproportionately. So yes, your gun death numbers are lower but let’s not pretend that’s because Australia unlocked some magical policy. You’re working with a completely different set of variables. That’s not to say the USA doesn’t have serious problems to fix, but comparing the two without context is like comparing apples to a bowl of oranges and declaring one “better.” It’s not that simple.
 
Pepper said:
Don't know what you are referring to
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If I could find the post I was referring to, I'd send it to you, but history doesn't go back that far. Sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned it; not important. [My comment wasn't meant in any negative way toward you.]
 
oslooskar said:
Yes, the raw numbers on gun deaths per capita are a fact, but so is the context behind them. You’re trying to isolate one variable (guns) and treat it like the whole equation, while ignoring the demographic, geographic, and criminal dynamics that make the U.S. uniquely vulnerable to gun violence. Australia doesn’t have a large, chronically violent underclass concentrated in major cities. It doesn’t have widespread gang warfare driven by a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline pouring in from a porous southern border. And it doesn’t have the same deep urban crime patterns that drive U.S. homicide stats disproportionately. So yes, your gun death numbers are lower but let’s not pretend that’s because Australia unlocked some magical policy. You’re working with a completely different set of variables. That’s not to say the USA doesn’t have serious problems to fix, but comparing the two without context is like comparing apples to a bowl of oranges and declaring one “better.” It’s not that simple.
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I do think the gun laws and gun death situation here is much better.

Regardless of 'context' or other factors.
The biggest factor is the difference in gun laws and gun culture not umpteen other variables you are trying to pin it on. That is the one unique difference, not just to Australia but to every other western country.
 
oslooskar said:
You’re comparing two very different animals. Australia doesn’t have a minority population like the United States does that commits over half of all homicides while making up only about 13% of the population. Nor does Australia share a 2,000-mile border with a violent, cartel-plagued third-world nation like Mexico, where drug trafficking, human smuggling, and gang violence routinely spill across the border. So yes, the challenges are different and pretending they're equivalent doesn’t help anyone understand the depth of the issues the USA faces. So don’t pat yourselves on the back and act all sanctimonious because it’s not a level playing field, and you know it.
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Sorry oslooskar, but you are barking up the wrong tree. The discrepancy is due to the fact that there are more guns in the US than there are people. In Australia very few people own a gun. We just don't need them.

Our ocean border does help keep out smuggled illegal firearms but a certain amount of legal category guns are allowed to be imported and sold to people with licences to own them. Civilians are not permitted to own military style weapons. We don't manufacture firearms in Australia. They are all imported.

We are not free of gangs and gang violence. The latest shooting in Sydney occurred when three men sprayed bullets into a suburban house, hitting a grandmother in the leg. She later died in hospital. The occupants of the house were "known to police" which is code for known criminals. Gang warfare on a small scale.

We are a nation of immigrants, from the first days of transportation to today. With each new wave of migration there is friction and a surge of criminality. It upsets people but as the newcomers settle in, they tend to become hard working small business people and their children often become professionals. Their children and grandchildren become our children. They may look a bit different, but they speak with Australian accents.
 
Paco Dennis said:
My AI buddy is wild :) Imagine being mad at a calculator for doing math faster than you. But sure, let’s play your way: Next time I’ll carve my critiques into stone tablets so you know they’re ‘authentic.’ :) Meanwhile, maybe ask why the U.S. needs to veto peace resolutions if it’s so infallible."
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Criticisms of AI should be supported with credible opposing links.
 
smiley said:
there is a "wild west" genome that has been transferred and never removed at the birth of a new nation - there seems only two options - do wot Oz did and ban all guns and collect them in or continue with your "wild west" image? You saw the Indians and wanted guns?
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I disagree. In colonial US, just like colonial Australia, firearms were a necessity to shoot animals for food, to protect home and family from hostile indigenous groups, and for law and order.

Australia recognised the danger of continuing to allow everyone who wanted a gun to own as many as they wished and legislated ownership restrictions after a serious of terrible massacres. US is unable to do this because of an amendment to the US Constitution.
 

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