Anglosphere: Difference between revisions
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'''[[Realpolitik|Realists]]'''. Realism (German ''[[Realpolitik]]'') is a fairly well defined school of thought within International Relations which see power as the defining factor in state's relations and sees culture as irrelevant. Realists argue that it is dangerous for one power to see itself as having a permanent alliance with another power whose interests in a few years may be at odds with their own, as Britain's and America's interests were opposed in the [[Suez crisis]]. As the Realists and Anglospherists both tend to be on the right of the political spectrum, and are both interested in international affairs rather than culture the clash between realists and Anglospherists has probably been sharper than any clash with another school, and some of the most telling criticism of the Anglosphere has been from the realists. |
'''[[Realpolitik|Realists]]'''. Realism (German ''[[Realpolitik]]'') is a fairly well defined school of thought within International Relations which see power as the defining factor in state's relations and sees culture as irrelevant. Realists argue that it is dangerous for one power to see itself as having a permanent alliance with another power whose interests in a few years may be at odds with their own, as Britain's and America's interests were opposed in the [[Suez crisis]]. As the Realists and Anglospherists both tend to be on the right of the political spectrum, and are both interested in international affairs rather than culture the clash between realists and Anglospherists has probably been sharper than any clash with another school, and some of the most telling criticism of the Anglosphere has been from the realists. |
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'''Autonomists'''. Unlike the other two schools these criticise the Anglosphere concept from a cultural rather than the view of international relations. Autonomists argue that the culture of a particular society is either largely home grown or is influenced by a far larger number of influences than simply from the "Anglosphere". In America autonomists either claim that American culture (or part of American culture) has been divorced from England for too long to be regarded as congruent - so for example Americans are more likely to be friendly to [[free enterprise]] than the English, or that the Anglosphere concept vastly underestimates the contribution of non-English European cultures such as the [[Scotch-Irish]], [[Irish]], [[Germany|German]], and [[Quebecois]] cultures. Similarly, English Autonomists argue that since the [[American War of Independence]] American and British experiences have greatly diverged with Britain's experience of [[empire|British Empire]] in [[India]] and [[Africa]] not being shared by Americans. Autonomists in Australia and New Zealand tend to stress the republican traditions of their country. In both Britain and America autonomists tend to be [[cultural |
'''Autonomists'''. Unlike the other two schools these criticise the Anglosphere concept from a cultural rather than the view of international relations. Autonomists argue that the culture of a particular society is either largely home grown or is influenced by a far larger number of influences than simply from the "Anglosphere". In America autonomists either claim that American culture (or part of American culture) has been divorced from England for too long to be regarded as congruent - so for example Americans are more likely to be friendly to [[free enterprise]] than the English, or that the Anglosphere concept vastly underestimates the contribution of non-English European cultures such as the [[Scotch-Irish]], [[Irish]], [[Germany|German]], and [[Quebecois]] cultures. Similarly, English Autonomists argue that since the [[American War of Independence]] American and British experiences have greatly diverged with Britain's experience of [[empire|British Empire]] in [[India]] and [[Africa]] not being shared by Americans. Autonomists in Australia and New Zealand tend to stress the republican traditions of their country. In both Britain and America autonomists tend to be [[cultural conservative]]s while in Australasia they tend to the left. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 03:47, 22 September 2004
The term "Anglosphere" describes a certain group of English-speaking countries. The name is derrived from the term Anglo-Saxon.
The Anglosphere is usually thought of as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Other nations, particularly India, Ireland and South Africa are often considered prospective members.
Credit for coining the term usually goes to science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, who used it in his 1995 novel The Diamond Age. The term was popularized with its current meaning by journalists such as James C. Bennett during the opening years of the 21st century.
Bonding qualities
Other than a common language, these nations also share many other common features, most of which come from their shared history of being former colonies of the United Kingdom. The shared features include:
- Democratic, British-inspired political institutions (legislative houses, regular elections, strong executive branch, respect for the rule of law)
- Common Law legal system (trial by judge and/or jury, etc)
- Capitalist, free market economies
- Predominantly white population, but with significant groups of immigrant and/or indigenous minorities
The Anglosphere nations also share many other similarities, including high economic prosperity, firmly established civil rights and personal freedoms, and high levels of global cultural influence.
These reasons and others make the Anglosphere different from other English-speaking international groups, notably the Commonwealth of Nations.
Co-operation
Anglosphere nations have a history of co-operation and close political ties. A network of varying military alliances as well as intelligence arrangements exists between all five nations, and some are in free trade areas with each other.
Polls have shown that most citizens of Anglosphere nations regard other Anglosphere countries as their closest "friends and allies". The United Kingdom and Canada are usually named as the United States' closest friends and allies, while the other nations routinely list the US and Britain at the top of their lists.
Because of their similar cultures, the nations share a lot of cultural materials between themselves. Certain actors, directors, movies, books, and TV shows enjoy high levels of popularity across the Anglosphere nations, regardless of their country of origin.
The countries of the Anglosphere were military allies in the majority of major world conflicts in the 20th century. The United States, the UK, and Australia continued in this vein in their cooperation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a venture in which other close military allies of the United States did not participate.
Opposition
The Anglosphere is a minority interest, but it has attracted some fierce opposition. The opposition is overlapping and not at all well defined but there are three main schools:
Regionalists. This school of thought believes that the idea of cultural alliances is a distraction from that of a regionally based union or alliance, such as NAFTA in America, the European Union for the United Kingdom or an Asian orientation for Australia and New Zealand. Regionalists tend to be left wing, in America they tend to be more friendly towards immigration from South and Central America and in the UK and Australasia they see America as being an influence towards cultural and economic conservatism. There is also an unease that the argument towards cultural supremacy is a proxy for racism. However, in countries like Canada and New Zealand, regionalism is feared by some, because the loss of economic and cultural ties with Britain and other nations has forced them into a closer, and possibly more dependent and disadvantaged, relationship with their relatively larger neighbours (the United States and Australia respectively).
Realists. Realism (German Realpolitik) is a fairly well defined school of thought within International Relations which see power as the defining factor in state's relations and sees culture as irrelevant. Realists argue that it is dangerous for one power to see itself as having a permanent alliance with another power whose interests in a few years may be at odds with their own, as Britain's and America's interests were opposed in the Suez crisis. As the Realists and Anglospherists both tend to be on the right of the political spectrum, and are both interested in international affairs rather than culture the clash between realists and Anglospherists has probably been sharper than any clash with another school, and some of the most telling criticism of the Anglosphere has been from the realists.
Autonomists. Unlike the other two schools these criticise the Anglosphere concept from a cultural rather than the view of international relations. Autonomists argue that the culture of a particular society is either largely home grown or is influenced by a far larger number of influences than simply from the "Anglosphere". In America autonomists either claim that American culture (or part of American culture) has been divorced from England for too long to be regarded as congruent - so for example Americans are more likely to be friendly to free enterprise than the English, or that the Anglosphere concept vastly underestimates the contribution of non-English European cultures such as the Scotch-Irish, Irish, German, and Quebecois cultures. Similarly, English Autonomists argue that since the American War of Independence American and British experiences have greatly diverged with Britain's experience of British Empire in India and Africa not being shared by Americans. Autonomists in Australia and New Zealand tend to stress the republican traditions of their country. In both Britain and America autonomists tend to be cultural conservatives while in Australasia they tend to the left.