Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research


Anti-American attitudes can be found in individuals all over the world. The causes for it relate to both internal and external sources, which is why a unifying theory based on structure, culture, and institutions must be used to analyze this issue. Particularly important in individuals’ attitudes are the following variables: nationalist sentiments; the legitimacy of one’s government; U.S. military, economic, and political intervention in one’s home country; feelings about democratic values; economic deprivation; and a number of demographics. By using a survey of over thirty thousand respondents from forty countries, we will hopefully more deeply understand what makes individuals harbor anti-American sentiments. Results indicate that government legitimacy and a number of economic indicators are the most important in terms of determining anti-Americanism, showing that a mix of internal factors and external factors are most important in determining opinion of the United States.