I wrote in the Federalist Paper No. 3 entry that Americans have long characterized ourselves as 'exceptional' and repeatedly rejected the practices and politics of Europe. Yesterday (Nov. 5) was Guy Fawkes Day, a holiday in Britain celebrating the foiling of a Catholic plot to blow up Parliament in 1605. However, Fawkes' torturing, and the anti-Catholic propaganda employed by the monarchy eventually tarnished the holiday, leading George Washington to ban its celebration in the US. All very noble, democratic, rights of man, etc., right? Perhaps not.
The Corner at the National Review discusses the reality of the situation: Washington wanted the friendship of the Canadians (hmm, especially since we wanted the British out of the neighborhood- dangers of foreign force and influence possibly?) and since the Quebecois were all Catholic, celebrating 'Anti-Pope Day' might not have been very politic.
So again, its not necessarily that American leaders can be any less realist than Europeans, its just that they're expected not to be- although, really, I'd say they're victims of their own success. A brilliant professor of mine once said that words create reality: if we say that we are idealist and above realpolitick, then we will be, even when we're not. Contradictory and confusing? Of course, but that's human nature for you.
(I stole the picture and got the links from AndrewSullivan.com. I hope he doesn't mind)
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