From the United States’ influence around the world to the passion Americans have for politics, international BYU–Hawaii discuss their opinions and perspectives on American politics.
“I’m not putting America’s politics on a pedestal. But I admire the way [America] runs the country because it’s a very constitutional and democratic country, and that’s what I admire. In American politics, freedom is such a big deal, and not many countries make that a big deal,” said Angela Morales, a junior from the Philippines majoring in political science and psychology.
Rahel Meyer, a sophomore from Germany studying communications and political science, said attending BYUH has taught her about the American government. “Since living in Hawaii, I’ve learned so much more. I had a lot of prejudices before and so coming to Hawaii and getting rid of some of them really changed how I view American politics.”
Passion for politics
Shantall Morales, a junior from Mexico studying psychology, said she feels Americans are very outspoken about their country’s political issues.
“They have very strong opinions. People go very, very strong on their politics here. You don’t hear it the same way in Mexico.”
Gaby Amaller, a junior from Canada majoring in cultural anthropology and business, agreed with Morales and added she’s noticed “even celebrities post on Instagram who they want to be elected.”
Inosi Kinikini, a senior from Fiji studying psychology, shared he never learned about American politics at home. When he came to Hawaii, he saw how often citizens used their voices to speak out on political issues.
“I was never into politics until I came to America, and I saw everybody fighting for their voices because, at home, we just listen. I mean, we do have a voice, but it doesn’t really matter sometimes. But here in America, I saw the need for other voices.”
Kinikini said in his home country, citizens will trust the government leaders and won’t speak out on issues until it is too late. He added in America, he sees citizens immediately raising concerns over issues.
While he agrees it is important to speak out, Kinikini added he finds many Americans are skeptical of following government leaders, specifically mentioning recent opposition to wearing masks.
“Here in America, even the idea of wearing masks, people go against it. There’s this campaign happening of people not wanting to wear masks. But back home, if the government says we need to wear masks, we will definitely wear masks. We won’t campaign against it because we know it’s for our health. I was so shocked looking at people campaigning.”
Sam Tobon, a senior from Columbia studying human resources, said he believes the comfort that many Americans live in allows them to be so outspoken and fight for various issues.
“I’m from a developing country. There’s still a lot of poverty. There are still a lot of issues … and over [in the United States], there’s so much safety. There’s so much opportunity. There’s so much wealth and comfort.”
Tobon added in the case of recent COVID-19 restrictions, the rules have caused discomfort and because Americans “are not used to living in discomfort, they speak out.”
Influence in the world
Amaller explained because of how close Canada and the United States are, many people in her country pay close attention to the elections in the States.
“Whoever got elected during the elections, we heard about it. It was really cool when Obama was elected president. My school, which had a lot of African-Canadian students, all gathered in the gym, and they broadcast when he got elected.”
YuChun Tsang, a junior from Taiwan studying TESOL education, said many citizens in her country closely watch relations between the United States and China.
“I think people are more focused on the relationship between [United States and China]. And I think because the people care about their relationship, the more I care about who will win [the election] and the vote.”
Meyers said Germany and the United States are close trading partners and have been allies since World War II.
According to state.gov, Germany is the United State’s closest and strongest ally in Europe with a relationship based on trading, sharing common institutions, and friendship.
“Of course, Germany is not a superpower like the U.S. is, but still… the economic connection is really closely tied,” said Meyers. “America has a huge impact on Germany and especially with the car industry.”
Meyers also pointed out the effect the United States has had in history, especially in international relations after World War II. “I think it has a huge effect, especially in its connections in the United Nations, NATO and everything. Those are the international organizations that are there to keep the peace between countries and holding other countries back from going to war. Imagining Russia or just China without America, I think it would be kind of crazy. So I’m kind of glad America has power.”
Meyers added since Trump’s presidency, she has seen how a country’s president can affect relationships between two countries.
“It’s kind of sad to see how a lot of Germans are offended by the way Trump treats Germany, which is the thing I do not support. I don’t believe that Trump has to treat Germany the way he does, and kind of destroy decades of … building a good relationship. ... A lot of [Germans] say they don’t want to go to America anymore.”
Most recently, Trump announced he plans to withdraw 9,500 U.S. soldiers from Germany after he “accused Germany of being delinquent in its payments to NATO,” according to BBC.
Tobon shared he recently had a negative experience with actions taken by the Trump administration. For example, the announcement to bar international students who were taking online classes from remaining in the United States was rescinded on July 14, and he also the push for a wall on the U.S./Mexico border.
“Over these last couple of months because … of Trump, I feel people can seriously feel, ‘I don’t want to live in a place that has a president like this.’ He’s done some very questionable things, and the results have been the policies he’s created and the laws he’s put in place, pushing the rest of countries away from us.”
Opinions on the government system and policies
Tsang shared she admires the balance within the U.S. government, which keeps one person from becoming too powerful.
“I think [the United States] has a really good balance between the government and the president... If Donald Trump decided to do something and the whole government thinks it is crazy, you guys would try to stop him. I think that is a good balance. It makes me feel like you guys really know what is best for this country.”
Morales said she respects how the United States values freedom and its constitution, which she feels gets neglected in her home country of the Philippines.
“I think the United States of America sets an example of valuing the Constitution, of valuing freedom, of eliminating corruption or minimizing it … I think that’s something I really treasure because that’s the only way that system could work. In the Philippines, if you’re powerful enough, you could just get rid of people who are going against you.”
Morales said an aspect of American politics she doesn’t believe is currently working is the two-party system where many elections, such as the presidential election, only have a Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate.
“I think anyone could run for president. I’m only looking at it from the lenses of an onlooker. But I think there’s nothing in the Constitution that says there should only be a Democratic and Republican Party.
“I think American people should have the chance to be able to select, not just from two candidates from both parties but for possible, credible, competent people who are able to run for president.”