International Education Matters

A Forum for Issues Pertaining to
Intensive English Programs

The Charlotte Observer
Posted on Mon, Aug. 11, 2003

Europe and America
"We must work to repair differences that threaten our important ties”

BILLY O. WIREMAN
Special to The Observer

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's inspirational plea to the American Congress to nurture American-European relationships calls to mind conversations I had this spring with European and Russian students, diplomats, journalists and business executives. They confirmed that while the Iraqi War is the most recent source of conflict, there are other issues that divide us. Examples:

During a Prague visit with a group of Charlotte executives, I asked our guide Teriq what forces had shaped her values and who were her heroes. She responded, "Survival was the issue. There were no heroes." Did you experience any religious influence? "No, the church in the Czech Republic is not strong." I said religion was very significant in my life and that most Americans still believe in heroes. Her response: "Europeans simply do not understand this."

A bright Czech law student, Jan, confirmed Teriq's views and said he respected "Americans for their idealism," but added that few Europeans share this "trait."

In Berlin with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' executives Debbie Antshel and Robbie Kale, we met with students and faculty to establish Internet contact with Charlotte schools around the theme of Leadership for Global Economics. I asked a German student about America: "We resent your efforts to export Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to Europe. This will hurt our farmers and, besides, this 'Frankenfood' may be unsafe." Other students nodded in agreement.

In Moscow with a Queens McColl Executive MBA delegation, I heard a Russian foreign affairs official state that Russians resent America's "go-it-alone international attitude." Then he asked about our isolationalism. When I pointed out that these two views were often in conflict, his response was revealing: "The American and Russian experience have been dramatically different. With our history, we cannot relate to your confidence, idealism and optimism."

We heard in Berlin that "Germany is not working. Our budget is out of control. We retire too early. But you Americans work too hard to get ahead."

Whether these examples are passing fads or deepening wounds must be seen against author Robert Kagan's recent proclamation that "Europe and America no longer share a common culture."

Significantly, due to low birth rates -- 1.4 children per couple versus a replacement rate of 2.1 -- and resistance to immigration, Europe will lose 100 million citizens in the next 50 years. America, in contrast, will gain 100 million citizens. Further, given the increasing number of Latinos and Asians immigrating to America, the percentage of Euro-centric Americans will decrease.

As an American, I was deeply moved by Blair's moral appeal to strengthen European-American relations. For 50 years the Atlantic Alliance has kept the peace and generated widespread prosperity in the West. Now we must repair these divisive differences and, together with other countries, continue to spread freedom and prosperity to those who have been left behind. Call this what you will -- idealism or pragmatism, it is both -- that's where we are. And, as Blair declared emphatically, if we fail, history will not forgive us.

Billy O. Wireman is president emeritus of Queens University of Charlotte.

Used with permission of the Charlotte Observer.

This file was updated on November 8, 2003