The cosmopolitan model of US society is my name for the idea that the US brings together people from all over the world to create something new, hopefully the best the world has to offer, from pizza to jazz to the Magna Carta. What makes the US great is not a particular culture or race or religion, but its political ideas of freedom, equality and democracy.
Sappy catchphrase: Diversity is our strength.
Its evil twin is what I call the pathogenic or diseased-host model: the US as a White Christian nation. What Trump and many Whites seem to believe. To them Mexicans and Muslims and so on are a threat to America As We Know It. For Steve “Clash of Civilizations” Bannon and the alt-right it is not just the US that is under threat but all of Western civilization!
Near beer: There are some closely related models that are not quite cosmopolitan:
- melting pot – assumes everyone should assimilate and take on Anglo American ways.
- multiculturalism – a White paternalistic model where “we” “tolerate” or “appreciate” “other” cultures – or throw them in as window-dressing tokens.
- nation of immigrants – can also be assimilationist.
In practice, these centre-stage Whites. But under the cosmopolitan model the US does not even have to be White. In fact, it is White racism and nativism, a la Donald Trump, that is the threat to America As We Know It Can Be.
Beliefs:
- Western universalism: US political ideas are the best for the whole human race. In this sense it is ethnocentric, an excuse for imperialism.
- Immigration: a good thing. The US as a coat of many colours held together by its political ideas and institutions, not by Anglo-American culture.
- Equal opportunity: what is meant by “equality”. The US succeeds or fails to the degree this is offered to everyone. You should be able to come from nothing and make it. The Bootstrap Myth assumes this is already true. The numbers on social mobility say otherwise.
- Racism: a backward and dangerous idea. See equal opportunity.
- Religion: a private matter, not something to shove down people’s throats. But public displays of religion (burkas, yamulkes, mosques, etc) are fine. Live and let live. Freedom of religion is part of what makes the US great.
- US American exceptionalism: yes!
Amy Chua argues that the US lead in science and technology, and therefore its military edge, comes from its openness to taking in people from all over the world. It made possible the Jewish and then Asian brain drains, the atom bomb and Silicon Valley.
Making America great: Both the cosmopolitan and diseased-host models believe in American exceptionalism and try to bottle what “makes America great” as a guide to thought and action. But both models are fairy tales. The “greatness” of the US comes not from the bloodlines of Europe’s economic failures and religious misfits, those who came to the US. Nor does it come from the political ideas of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson. It comes from the barrel of a gun.
– Abagond, 2017.
See also:
- other models:
- its political ideas:
- Amy Chua
- Asian brain drain
- Bootstrap Myth
- Donald Trump
- Anglo Americans
- burka
570
First thought: Based on the past 396 years it is true that this was a White dominated nation. Nothing anyone can do about the past.
To deny that the Norther European came to this nation using power and established a White Northern European dominated social system is folly. People of other races, cultures and the Native Americans could not stop the dominant role of the Whites.
We are now moving past that stage of development.
As individuals arrive in this nation from other parts of the world (1965 on) the population is slowing becoming evenly mixed.
The cosmopolitan affect is gaining; however each of the various segments have to step up to the plate and contribute positively to the desired goals. Moving towards the center.
It is not helpful for any one group to separate itself from the whole, because each group must modify its behavior to reach the cosmopolitan goal.
Let the past be the guide to our future.
LikeLike
@ Allen Shaw
Do you think the cosmopolitan model is worth major behavior modification?
What behaviors are you personally willing to modify to fit into White society?
Are White people “moving towards the center” or separating themselves?
Do you see that as good or bad?
LikeLike
Abagond is always on the pulse and on point.
LikeLiked by 3 people
@Afrofem I believe that the majority of white people are/were moving towards the center. But what this past election has shown, and over it’s campaign, and now this regime, is there are a lot that want to separate themselves. I am impressed by the number of protesters, the majority of whom are white.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@thefansforum
“I am impressed by the number of protesters, the majority of whom are white.”
While it is impressive to see the number of protesters out, I feel it is important to pay attention to what exactly they are protesting against and their staying power over time.
Trump has a lot of tools at his disposal to stifle dissent. I wonder if people will be willing to put their freedom or their lives on the line to resist his regime? Only time will tell….
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I am impressed by the number of protesters, the majority of whom are white.” – thefansforum
Perhaps this is an indication that whites are collectively realizing that they have inherited lies wrapped in suppositions of exceptionalism, cosmopolitanism, diversity, liberty and freedom. Unfortunately, it took a man like tRump for them to see through this fog of illusions. I’m afraid it’s too late because lies are in fact the cornerstone of Amerika, so shall it be its eventual downfall!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The “greatness” of the US comes not from the bloodlines of Europe’s economic failures and religious misfits, those who came to the US. Nor does it come from the political ideas of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson. It comes from the barrel of a gun.”
Ok, now tell me how “a gun” more than doubled the size of the territory of the USA via the Louisiana purchase without the US firing a shot? Brilliant diplomacy that’s how. I hate Jefferson, but it can’t be denied that he was a brilliant, devious bastard, so were all the founders of the USA. It wasn’t luck that made this nation into to colossus it is. Its downfall won’t be due to luck either.
LikeLike
@Afrofem
Yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@”“I am impressed by the number of protesters, the majority of whom are white.” ”
I just wonder where were all these people when blacks were protesting police murders of unarmed people (and getting away with it). And protesting stop and frisk. I didn’t see this many whites out, and I damn sure didn’t see them raising millions for legal fees.
LikeLiked by 5 people
When Trump came to Philly 10 or so days ago, and laat night, there were protests, with the police pretty much literally matching the protestors 1 to 1. It’s crazy.
LikeLike
“The “greatness” of the US comes not from the bloodlines of Europe’s economic failures and religious misfits, those who came to the US. Nor does it come from the political ideas of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson. It comes from the barrel of a gun. ”
At last somebody said it. Its the gun people its the gun. Chomsky often alludes to it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
ah this prison muslim, a black guy was rappin to his minion about the albino races including asian and so forth it ended up with somethin’s gonna happen jesus ppl don’t even know what to ask for it’s called shutting the f up to get by and i am guilty of it, don’t obviate your own forward thinking i guess?
LikeLike
it was like the police were protesting too!
LikeLike
@Resw
I was hoping someone would say it!!
LikeLike
@Open Minded Observer
We shall see.
There are already unsubstantiated rumors, gossip and scuttlebutt from people on the web (both high and low) who suspect Trump and his posse will engineer a false flag operation to suppress resistance by force and propaganda. It is a tried and true method for tamping down domestic opposition.
Lawrence “Larry” Wilkerson recently spoke on The Real News Network (TRNN) about such a possibility. Wilkerson was the chief of staff for Colin Powell during his time as Secretary of State in the Bush Administration. This is a bit of what he had to say:
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=18242
If such an operation were done, the corporate media is certain to fall into line like trained dogs. Then the POTUS and his posse could just declare all dissenters, resisters and protesters to be traitors and ship them off to some secret prison site.
Would the American people have the guts to go on with resisting?
LikeLike
@Afrofem
” Then the POTUS and his posse could just declare all dissenters, resisters and protesters to be traitors and ship them off to some secret prison site.”
The line is different for everyone, however, I’ve noticed that the line for most White folks is at their doorstep. When heroin impacted their households, they took notice, when their kids got shipped off to war, they voted for the man that promised to end it (and here you thought they voted to ease their racist conscience), when their health insurance premiums went up and their income stagnated, they voted for the man that promised to repeal the ACA, bring back jobs and stop supporting others with their money… yeah, White culture is nothing if not self-centered.
So, if this regime starts locking up their college-aged kids because they’re out there protesting, if they start knocking on doors asking to search their suburban houses for “dissidents” or “illegals”, I’m thinking they won’t go along with that. Sure, we have a long history of rounding up “scary people”, and I’m certain that 40-50% of the country would sit idly by and watch that happen again, but the collateral impact of any such action would surely include people close to them. That, combined with the more conscientious other half of the country and liberal-leaning media would either be enough to simply get rid of him and his cabinet of cronies or lead to outright civil war.
But, you’re right… if the regime is shrewd and calculating enough to avoid crossing the doorsteps of Whites (literally or figuratively), they will largely tolerate whatever policies he implements and file it under “Sucks to be them, but I’m alright.” You’re also right that the “safety-pin” crowd isn’t prepared to die (or even inconvenience themselves too much) over any cause that doesn’t directly impact their household or possibly neighborhood.
LikeLike
@ Afrofem
“Would the American people have the guts to go on with resisting?”
That’s a sobering question. Do you remember the huge protests during the run-up to the Iraq war? Once W invaded, those protests quickly tapered off to only the die-hard anti-war types. And it didn’t take rounding up protesters into detainment camps to cripple the movement: it just took discouragement over not being able to prevent the war from starting, along with social pressure to “support our troops” once the war had begun.
I think any hope we have of sustaining active public protest against Trump will be in regards to violations of civil liberties and gutting of popular legislation (e.g., ACA, Clean Air Act), not anti-war protests.
Unless he brings back the draft, that is.
LikeLike
@Afrofem It is a requirement that all individuals move toward the center. This is not a “do it now thing”.
Yes it is a requirement that White people move toward the center as well as all other groups.
It is difficult because of the current separation of races.
It makes very little difference what I might do. In the scheme of life I am unimportant. Why do you believe that I would be exempt from any change necessary.
Would you give up your position is more the question or will you desire to have the status remain as is?
LikeLike
@Allen Shaw
“Yes it is a requirement that White people move toward the center as well as all other groups.
It is difficult because of the current separation of races.”
Who created the current separation of the races?
LikeLike
re: Solitaire’s
Does anyone think this is a possibility?
LikeLike
@Origin
“…if this regime starts locking up their college-aged kids because they’re out there protesting, if they start knocking on doors asking to search their suburban houses for “dissidents” or “illegals”, I’m thinking they won’t go along with that.”
But will it be enough? This country has quietly build a huge repression apparatus over the past 40 years. Each president since Nixon has torn at the edges of the Constitution. Bush 2 and Obama simply brought out the industrial shredder, even turning the protections of the Magna Carta (habeas corpus, etc.) into confetti.
Meanwhile Americans have become fearful and disconnected. Corporate news is equal parts mayhem and fluff. Democratic traditions in schools and workplaces have evaporated. Many citizens have never been taught to seek and sift through information from a variety of sources and think critically about the information they encounter.
I think if the regime starts kicking in doors in White areas, they will just cower in fear and let it happen——for a while. It is a darn shame if it goes that far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@ Solitaire
“I think any hope we have of sustaining active public protest against Trump will be in regards to violations of civil liberties and gutting of popular legislation (e.g., ACA, Clean Air Act), not anti-war protests.”
I think that is one reason why presidential administrations love war. It has an incredible silencing effect on populations. Nationalism and the urge to conform become overwhelming.
LikeLike
@ Jefe
At the moment, I don’t see the reinstatement of the draft as a high probability.
But we’re talking about Trump. He is unpredictable and erratic.
Also, it would depend on how many more wars he gets us into and how big those conflicts are. If the military runs short of boots on the ground, then he’d have to start drafting.
LikeLike
^ I am thinking about the South China sea.
Would need an additional 1 million boots on the ground (or on/ under the waves).
LikeLike
“Afrofem@Allen Shaw
“Yes it is a requirement that White people move toward the center as well as all other groups.
It is difficult because of the current separation of races.”
Who created the current separation of the races”
Who cares!
Stubborn individuals will always find reasons to blame others while remaining in a fixed position. I suppose the tiny minority (smallest number) will demand that every harmful thing that has happened to them will have to be assuaged before any movement is possible.
By the way the history of the United States made it obvious why the majority of Blacks live in the south eastern part of the United States. It was the only part of the nation that could successfully use slaves. Therefore the south east feels like home to a large segment of the Black population. Because of failure of the industry in the north the migration north during the middle of the past century did not work out as well as it was hoped and many Blacks have returned to the south.
My previous comment about the 396 years of White domination went flying over your head.
Who wants what?
The minority (least number) will always have to make a larger move to reach the golden ring.
It is a waste of time to discuss any thing with a closed minded individual. Enjoy your conversation.
LikeLike
@ Jefe
Agreed. If that scenario comes to pass, Trump will have little choice but to call up the draft.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on League of Bloggers For a Better World.
LikeLike
This might help explain why that guns are treated like sacred, holy objects in this nation.
LikeLike
“What makes the US great is not a particular culture or race or religion, but its political ideas of freedom, equality and democracy” These are ideas that arise and have arisen in other Anglo-Protestant built countries. They have been maintained by the addition and assimilation of other similar peoples of European origin. The massive influx of alien peoples to America is the single biggest threat to our country and its ideals.
LikeLike
@ Avi Marranazo
“The massive influx of alien peoples to America is the single biggest threat to our country and its ideals.”
Now you know how the Native Americans/First Nations felt from the 1600s to the 1800s. They also dealt with a “massive influx of alien peoples”.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“The massive influx of alien peoples to America is the single biggest threat to OUR country and its ideals.” – Avi Marranazo
LOL, … OUR country, … really? I’ll respond more sufficiently, just as soon as my laughter subsides and regain my composure. Don’t hold your breath though, it may be a while!
LikeLiked by 1 person
@ Avi Marranazo
So non-Whites and non-Protestants born in the US are a threat to their own country? That sounds like a paradox. Should these people leave? And if so, where would they go? And wouldn’t people in the countries they went to rightly see them as aliens too? If so, then what what should they do? Please advise.
LikeLiked by 1 person