The U.S. Political Worldview
July 11,2006

“All politics is local.”
- Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, former American Speaker of the House

Another World Cup season comes to a close. With Germany 2006 came a new round of predictions for the future of soccer in America. You’ve heard it all -- Hispanic immigration, soccer moms, increased media coverage. All these things should equate to a love of soccer in a sports-loving country like the U.S.A. So it has been said for the last 25-years.

America’s relationship with soccer is a metaphor for its international relationships in general. Both America’s political and sports dysfunction have common roots – and, in truth, it’s more perceived dysfunction.

The “American Century,” as some have dubbed the 20th century, was a result of America’s vast natural resources, diverse population, and relative geographic distance from the rest of the “civilized” world. Jared Diamond’s book, Guns, Germs and Steel, demonstrates how America’s success may be as much about environment as it is philosophy. America grew in its own sphere, feeding on itself to build the world’s largest economy.

In sports, baseball, basketball, football (American-style) and other sports prospered because there was ample capital, talent, and competition to be found within America’s own borders. Soccer was never excluded by choice, it just never generated the same support as home-grown sports. Now, soccer is simply playing catch-up.

Despite this, support for soccer is at its highest point – ever. Major League Soccer draws millions of fans, and it is arguably the most popular youth sport. By measure most anywhere else, soccer would be considered at least a modest success. But, in America it’s not yet there.

Even though there is incredible diversity in American sport and exploding sports media has made even curling more accessible, there is a limited amount of human bandwidth for sports. How many sports teams can you and your family support financially? If you’re in Cleveland, football wins – not because soccer loses, but because something has to give. Perhaps baseball and basketball get some of your support too, but because of the tradition.

It’s the same story with politics. Europeans have always been forced to interface with the 3-5 political powers within a two-hour flight from any European capitol. Not so in America. America has a rich political history that has been able to prosper in its own sphere.

There is a rich appreciation of political, social, and cultural diversity in America. Millions of Americans follow international politics and seek to understand other cultures. However, in a population of 350 million, it appears arrogant and isolationist if only a few million love soccer or engage in international debate. As a percentage, it looks abysmal.

The implications of this have been huge. America appears arrogant and myopic. Even before the war on terror, there has been an “Ugly American” stereotype. Truth is, quite a few Americans do have problems with cultural assimilation abroad. However, this is no indictment of America as a culture.

Just like soccer competes with other sports in America, international politics competes with domestic politics. Americans quickly reach a saturation point.

Is this an excuse for a narrow world perspective? Probably not, but it does explain a lot and should be considered when critiquing the American world view.

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