Opinion Archive

What to Make of a Nation's Character

December 10, 2008

Commenting on last week's article on living in Mexico City, reader Nadine Karachi wrote: "As an expat of 12 years in the DF, one of my favourite reasons for sticking it out is the genuine freedom of religious and cultural practice. As a Muslim, I have rarely been made to feel ashamed for my beliefs. There is a genuine interest in people here. A sense of tolerance not found in many other places." Tolerance and curiosity would thus seem to be part of Mexico's "character". They are genuinely useful to recognize for a stranger that wishes to interact with a Mexican.

But, if such broad strokes are to be helpful, how are they different from useless stereotypes? For example, Mexicans are some of the most hard working people in the world. But the sombrero-clad napping Mexican is one of the country's stereotypes abroad. Beyond the implicit insult, the image is useless in helping someone understand Mexico. Similarly, after World War II, Germans have become some of the most culturally sensitive people in the world, rendering the jackbooted Nazi stereotype virtually meaningless. As for Americans, they can often be insular in their thinking and ignorant of other countries. But in the thousands of encounters in dozens of countries where this correspondent has seen them interact with locals, not one "ugly American" episode stands out. This does not mean that Americans aren't sometimes arrogant when abroad. Rather, it highlights the fact that if you interact with them expecting to find a boorish lout, you will almost always be mistaken.

So, a proper analysis relies on nuance. It is a moving target and it is best when it captures a moment; a national "mood", not a national stereotype. Today's Russia is a case in point. "Standoffish" and "wounded pride" are words that are useful for understanding why Vladimir Putin seems so angry. Only by hearing Russians express their frustration at not being treated with the "respect" (actually, fear) that the Soviet Union once commanded, can one fathom why President Medvedev would do something as childish as to coincide his state of the nation speech with the American election. Or Mr. Putin's over-the-top assertion that “the trust in America as the leader of the free world and free economy is blown for ever.”

All countries bear historical grudges, but they learn different lessons from their losses. When Russia lost the Cold War, it felt humiliated. The realpolitik post-Communist kleptocracy believes that all countries act with naked self-interest and that the world is a zero-sum place where might makes right. Americans, on the other hand, are often genuine in their belief that they can be a force for good in the world. At the same time, Europeans really do believe in the power of civilized negotiation through multilateral institutions. Keeping these contrasting beliefs in mind is key to any sort of meaningful discussions between these powers. Knowing about character can thus be very useful.

What Mexicans learned from constant American meddling in their country was that self-determination is a fundamental right for all nations and that peaceful international conflict resolution is paramount. That is why, unlike Iran, or North Korea, Mexico has foresworn nuclear weapons without a second thought. To stockpile weapons of mass destruction just to spite the US is simply not in their national character. Compare that with Russia's foolhardy insistence on having its nuclear-armed bombers fly missions close to Canada and Alaska. Remember that Russia and Mexico's economies are roughly of equal size, so it is not a question of money, but of each country's character.

Sometimes, national "moods" can change suddenly, directly affecting the national character almost immediately. Before 9/11, it was safe to say that Americans were as open as any country that is such a magnet to immigration could be. After 9/11, legal entry to the US has become onerous to the point of being annoying. Fear and mistrust trumped Americans' natural openness and generosity. Insofar as this is not permanent (let us hope), it speaks to the national "mood", not "character". But when dealing with Homeland Security, you ignore this new American attitude at your peril.

Mexico's national mood is currently a little more dejected than usual. Mexicans are generally happy people, but their fatalist streak means that they can easily despair when major problems arise. That is what is happening with the terrible wave of violence we are currently suffering. Americans are different: they are characteristically much more of a problem-solving people than (figurative) Cross-bearing Mexicans.

Of course, none of these distinctions holds true for the French. They really are aloof and effete, no matter what their mood. Just kidding - happy posadas!

For the latest thought-provoking article by Agustin Barrios Gomez please go to our Opinion Column page

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