U.S. Declinism or Constructivism?

Why are U.S. media and elites so quick to quiet criticism of how the United States conducts itself?

By Stephan Richter, May 22, 2014 | http://www.theglobalist.com/us-declinism-or-constructivism/

Takeaways

• “The pursuit of happiness” smacks of clever propaganda for a nation ranking near bottom in terms of vacation time.
• Most critics of the US profess their profound disappointment at how the nation undershoots its own potential.
  
• Most of the promises America holds accrue to a happy few.
• I feel a constant temptation to look at the US by what could be, if done right – not by what is.
• Perhaps perversely or illogically I am a strong believer in America’s potential.
  
• Critics of the US are treated as if they commit an act of lèse majesté, insulting a king or queen.
• The “declinism” charge attests to modern Americans’ thin skins.

Whenever an author criticizes the United States these days, an American-inspired thought police quickly raises the charge that this person is a “declinist.” That charge is leveled to signal that either someone does not wish the country well or, worse, believes the United States of America is destined for doom.
It only gets worse if in the same breath or train of thought, one raises the case of other nations (say, in Europe or, God forbid, China). To suggest that these countries — or any country for that matter — might provide a positive example for the United States on a specific matter usually leads to all hell breaking lose.
To be sure, reflexive as it is the declinism charge attests to a certain thin-skinnedness of Americans today. It is especially rife among the country’s elites, for an understandable reason.
On a personal level, they are doing most splendidly. It is only natural for them to resist having that moment of personal glory and boundless material satisfaction perturbed by any niggardly naysayers.
As someone who receives his fair share of the declinist charge, I have obviously given quite a bit of thought to the issue — but not as a matter of self-defense.
In seeking to understand what’s going on in the world’s most powerful nation, look back a bit in history. I am immediately reminded of European attitudes during the late 19th and early 20th century.