User:Antidiskriminator/Drafts of articles/Demonisation of United States

Demonisation of United States or Demonization of America is a propaganda campaign of demonizing United States of America. This campaign was pursued by many different movements which perceived USA as an enemy, i.e. by the elements of communist or radical Islamic movements. The United States of America are portrayed as demonic force responsible for the poverty of world's population.[1] The United States, as secular authority, are demonized by various ethnoreligious groups in their attempt to reduce the power of USA and discredit them.[2]

Soviet Union and Russia

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The Soviet Union demonized the Western powers depicting them with Satan features, although communist do not believe in God or in Satan.[3] Demonization between USA and Soviets was mutual because Western powers also demonized the Soviets.[3]

Some American authors believe that Russia (successor of Soviet Union) pursued the policy aimed to demonize America and weaken its ties with Europe.[4]

In April 2012 the president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev stated that it is unnecessary for Russia to demonize America emphasizing "we are a big sovereign country, and no one can interfere with us".[5]

Latin America

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According to Robert S. Leiken, in one period during the Cold War there was significant influence of Soviet Union to Latin American press which disseminated text with demonized image of USA. This view is disputed by some other authors.[6] In April 2009 American president Obama pleaded to the leaders of the region of Middle America to cease their campaign of demonization of America.[7]

By radical Islamic movements

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Members of more radical Islamic movements believe that the policy of USA has consistently been anti-Islamic. The consequence is "mutual satanization" between them and America.[8] Demonization of America in the Arab Muslim societies based on perception that USA and Western world are allies and protectors of Israel,[9] prevents any rational analysis of the policy of USA and contributes to development of the radical Islam.[10] The religious fundamentalists on the Middle East demonized America and referred to it as the "great Satan".[11] In Iran the Demonization of America was a political strategy of the Ayatollah, aimed to unite Iranian people under his leadership.[12] Iranian politicians routinely referred to United States as the "Great Satan" in period between the beginning of the Islamic revolution in late 1970's until 1997.[2]

In 2009 British Foreign secretary David Miliband stated that demonisation of America and the West has been staple of the governments of Iran for three decades.[13]

Consequences

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The consequences of the demonization of America include pulling apart the West and idea of the West trough questioning existence of the mutual interest between Europe and America.[14] Some authors hastily proclaimed that terrorism is result of demonization of America.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Horowitz, David (2 February 2006). Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam And the American Left. Regnery Publishing, Incorporated, An Eagle Publishing Company. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-89526-026-0. These views demonize America as a satanic force in the modern world, the linchpin of a global order of hierarchy and privilege that is responsible for the misery of the world's impoverished masses.
  2. ^ a b Hedetoft, Ulf; Hjort, Mette (2002). The Postnational Self: Belonging and Identity. U of Minnesota Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-8166-3937-3. Cite error: The named reference "HedetoftHjort2002" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Heaster, Duncan (2009). The Real Devil: A Biblical Exploration. Carelinks Publishing. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-906951-01-6.
  4. ^ "The Bear's awakening". http://www.washingtontimes.com/. The Washington Times, LLC. 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  5. ^ "No Need to Demonize America, Says Medvedev". http://en.ria.ru/. RIA Novosti. 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  6. ^ The Soviet Union in the Third World, 1980-85: An Imperial Burden Or Political Asset? : Report. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1985. p. 304.
  7. ^ SHERYL GAY STOLBERG; ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO (2009). "Obama Says U.S. Will Pursue Thaw With Cuba". http://www.nytimes.com/. New York Times. Retrieved 4 October 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  8. ^ Company, DIANE Publishing (December 1994). The Multilateral Development Banks: Increasing U. S. Exports and Creating U. S. Jobs. DIANE Publishing. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-7881-1427-4. Hence, the rhetoric that continues today from Islamic activists is largely a result of past political practices more that an inherent or inevitable clash between America and Islam. The result is a "mutual satanization" between America and the more ... {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ Tobin, Gary A.; Weinberg, Aryeh Kaufmann; Ferer, Jenna (16 May 2009). The UnCivil University: Intolerance on College Campuses. Lexington Books. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-7391-3268-5. This hatred of Israel does not exclusively stem from anti-Semitism, but also includes the demonization of America and the West as well.
  10. ^ Zoja, Luigi; Williams, Donald Lee (1 January 2002). Jungian Reflections on September 11: A Global Nightmare. Daimon. p. 171. ISBN 978-3-85630-619-9. ..., there is today in the Arab Moslem world a complete absence of freedom of speech, especially when it is about the demonization of America, Israel's ally and protector; this demonization perverts any political analysis and sends ...
  11. ^ Association, South East Arts (1990). The Printer's Devil. South East Arts. p. 125.
  12. ^ Terence P. Jeffrey (2003). "New Great Satan waiting in wings?". http://www.washingtontimes.com/. The Washington Times. Retrieved 3 October 2014. Mr. Khamenei's domestic political strategy is to unite Iranians behind him against a demonized America. Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/mar/14/20030314-085926-9520r/#ixzz3F4D2LKvT Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter {{cite web}}: External link in |quote= and |website= (help)
  13. ^ "Britain denies Iranian accusations". http://www.express.co.uk/. Daily Express. 25 June. Retrieved 28 September 2014. No-one is seeking regime change in Iran from the outside world. It is for the Iranians to choose their own government and the demonisation of America and the West has been staple of the regime for 30 years. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); External link in |website= (help)
  14. ^ Hollander, Paul (2004). Understanding anti-Americanism: its origins and impact at home and abroad. Ivan R. Dee. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-56663-564-6. The demonization of America by anti-Americanism not only calls into question the community of interests between Europe and America but threatens the idea of the West. It pulls the various pieces of the West apart and sets them at war with ...
  15. ^ Dunaway, Wilma A. (2003). Emerging Issues in the 21st Century World-system: New Theoretical Directions for the 21st Century World-System. Praeger. ISBN 978-0-313-32470-3.

Further reading

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  • G. Rozman, ed., National Identities and Bilateral Relations: Widening Gaps in East Asia and Chinese Demonization of the United States, Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson Center Press and Stanford University Press, 45–64.