Similarities and differences between American and European values

American and European Values

How different are American values on various important topics than the values of their counterparts in Western Europe? It would seem on the surface that there would be dramatic differences even within Western European countries, given that societies in Denmark or the Netherlands, for example, are vastly different from those in Greece or Spain. Meanwhile, this paper delves into those cultural differences when it comes to values within each geographic area.

The utilization of military force: In the Pew Research Center's survey comparing U.S. And Western European values, three quarters of Americans believe it is "sometimes necessary to use military force" in the sense of bringing order out of chaos (PEW, 2011). Seven in ten British people agree with the Americans but in France and Spain, somewhat fewer (62%) agree with the UK and U.S., but in Germany only half of those surveyed agree (PEW, 2011). That said, 6 in 10 German men believe there are instances in which the military must be used to "maintain order" but just 4 of 10 German women agree with that value (PEW, 2011).

As expected, conservatives in the U.S. are more apt to support using military force, and this is also true, according to PEW, in France, the UK, and Spain. The viewpoint towards use of military force depends on the educational level of those being polled: in Spain, 84% of respondents with college degrees say the United Nations should approve prior to military interventions; most college grads agree the UN should be consulted in Germany, France and in the UK (PEW).

Should nations be engaged with or provide help to other nations? In England 45% say their country should be engaged; 55% in Spain agree and 54% in Germany agree. In the U.S. just 39% say the country should reach out and help other countries (albeit this low percentage could be a negative response to the seemingly endless conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq ) (PEW).

In terms of cultural superiority, nearly half (49%) of Americans feel that the American culture is superior to that of others. Fewer people in England (32%) and France (27%) believe their culture surpasses all others, but in Spain 44% believe their culture is superior. A few years ago (in 2002) 60% of Americans felt culturally superior and by 2007, that percentage shrunk to 55%. The younger the person being surveyed in the U.S., the less apt that person is to agree that the American culture is superior (PEW).

Political beliefs in America and role of the state in Europe and America: Since 1980 in the U.S., a political coalition of conservative evangelical Protestants have "dominated" elections, using the framework of the Republican Party, according to Bernstein, et al., in the Third World Quarterly journal. Those doubting the power of the Christian coalition, note the election of George W. Bush. Also note the rhetoric of GOP candidate Mitt Romney, downplaying his own success with healthcare reform in Massachusetts to appeal to the Tea Party and right wing Christians, groups that oppose Obama's healthcare reform act. While American politicians "…represent the views of sub-constituencies within the electorate," in 12 Western Europe democracies (between 1973 and 2002) research shows that politicians and their parties tend to be "highly responsive to the views of opinion leaders," that is, citizens that are "regularly engaged in political discussions and persuasion" (Adams, et al., 2009, p. 206).

Religious views and the role of religion in Western Europe vs. America: it appears from the PEW research that far more Americans view religion as important than Western Europeans do. To wit, "half of Americans deem religion very important in their lives; fewer than a quarter in Spain (22%) feel this way, and in Germany (21%), Britain (17%) and France (13%), even fewer say religion is "very important" to their lives (PEW).

Fifty-three percent of Americans are more apt to agree that it is vital to believe in God prior to having good morals and values while just 33% of Germans, 20% of the British, 19% of Spaniards and 15% of those in France agree with that statement. Women and the elderly are more apt to agree that God is indeed the "necessary foundation for morality and good values" (PEW). Fifty-nine percent of American women say religion is "very important" to them but only 41% of American men agree with that statement (PEW).

Meanwhile, in the Journal of Beliefs and Values (Williams, et al., 2009) the authors point out that in Western Europe religious affiliations have declined in recent years. First of all the authors explain that in the Netherlands, only 62% of those polled were affiliated with a religion. Secondly, from the 1980s to 2004, religious affiliation dropped from 97% to 84% in Northern Ireland; in Sweden it dropped from 93% to 74%; in Spain from 91% to 83%; in England from 90% to 85%; and in Holland from 62% to 45% (Williams, 177).

When it comes to gay and lesbian acceptance, it is "widespread" in both the U.S. And Western Europe, but PEW reports 91% of Spaniards, 87% of Germans, 86% of those in France and 81% in Britain accept gay and lesbians whereas only 60% of Americans do. The LGBT movement -- along with the concept of "sexual orientation" -- have been accepted into the treaties and secondary legislation in the European Union, due to the leadership there viewing gay rights as human rights (Swiebel, 2009). Linkages with "friendly elites" in the EU, wishing to avoid "racism" and even the suggestion of bias, have accepted LGBT values (Swiebel, 30).