Quote (Handcuffs @ 11 Jul 2020 11:38)
This whole dynamic is wild to me because affairs of the United States seem to get way more cultural optics in other countries than is the case here. There's definitely a historical reason for why that is, but it's interesting to see just how much of a difference exists between us and other countries.
I could not tell you a single thing about Netherlands government, leaders, or current political happenings, and I think the vast majority of Americans would say the same.
i guarantee you, if the netherlands had a president who tore up crucial international agreements just because they hated their predecessor, if they committed war crimes all over the world, unilaterally imposed tariffs on goods because they didn't know how trade balances work, tried to ban certain countries and religions from traveling there, you would.
i mean, obviously the US, as the largest western economy, former leader of the so called "free world", and military hegemon, had an additional focus on their politics for many decades, as it directly impacts european trade and foreign policy like no other single country, so there is your 'historical reason'. also, europeans are, generally speaking, more curious about what's going on beyond their own country's borders.
furthermore, it's not quite as 'wild' as you may think, because while most europeans that aren't far-right bigots themselves are well aware of what a mess trump is, they are NOT as aware of american politics as the euros you encounter here.