Straight talk politics

Author: Xue Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The "anti-intellectualism" tradition in American society is an inevitable product of a "fully democratic society": a person who cannot read or write is considered equal to a Nobel laureate in terms of political rights and political character. If used appropriately, this tradition can challenge and balance elitism, break through the cultural hegemony created by the vested interests of the intellectual class, and maintain the originality of society and the grassroots nature of democracy. In American history, it is difficult to find a president as crude and awkward as Bush in speech as compared to others. This is not just a matter of his personal style, but also reflects the current trend of American society. Occasionally, I come across a Chinese language textbook compiled decades ago by Mr. Chao Yuanren at Harvard University, and I am taken aback. For example, there is an article in the textbook titled "What is a Sinologist," which is very elegant and academic, compared to the colloquial exercises we do in class today, such as "He is both handsome and rich," it is like two different worlds. American political discourse can be summarized in one sentence: If you have a problem, don't blame yourself. Our American problems are not caused by us Americans, but by others. Sovereignty resides with the people, but responsibility does not.