Ask an average American what values the US stands for in the world, and
the word “liberty” will almost certainly feature in the answer. But what
exactly is this American liberty? Defining it is tricky. Like George W Bush’s
intellect: you know it must be there, but struggle a bit to pin it down.
Many countries around the world, my own included, follow a similar
system of government – democracy, rule of law, and separation of powers being
common ingredients. Also in these countries, we are free to disagree with and
mercilessly mock our leaders as much and as publicly as we like.
And yet, of all these countries, the US has become the champion of
liberty. Are its citizens really any more free than anyone else?
My tentative conclusion is that they are, because they believe they
are. It is really striking how the language of liberty pervades all levels of
American life – from the White House to the corner store. Repeating over and
over again that the US is the land of the free reinforces it in people’s minds,
informs how they live life here, and lifts their spirits – without really
needing to think through the detail.
If everyone at a party tells each other that they are having a great
time, then they probably will – even if the bar has run dry and the only music
consists of medieval choral chants. This is not to say they are deceiving
themselves, rather it is a testament to the power of mutual reassurance.
This might just be a case where, to a whiny child asking why Americans
are free, a parent would be justified in responding…
“Because I said so”.
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