Book Review: 100 Ways America Is Screwing Up the World by John Tirman

One of the remarkable features of 21st-century America is how news is parsed by a media steeped in either left or right-wing political philosophy. The standard of balanced reporting has given way to viscerally oriented op/ed writers and pundits more interested in spinning a story to achieve predictable responses from consumers of such news.

Fortunately balance still exists in reporting. And while some may argue a book titled 100 Ways America Is Screwing Up the World is anything but balanced, they’re judging the book by its title alone.

100 Ways is a comprehensive historical look at America through the eyes of John Tirman, the executive director of MIT’s Center for International Studies. Tirman is a keen observer of how the rest of the world views us and the events that have created those views. What distinguishes 100 Ways from myriad titles that attack movement individuals in both political camps is in Tirman’s ability to see these events essentially as non-partisan.

Throughout the book, Tirman shows the faulty logic of democratic and republican leaders who’ve placed America’s economic interests above concern for global human rights regardless of partisan persuasion. Tirman offers a thorough account of American economic policy from the beginnings of the country to present day. From here, Tirman makes connections to a number of foreign misadventures carried out by various intelligence agencies that served American interests including the 1953 overthrow of socialist Mohammad Moussadek in Iran to CIA-led assassination of Chilean President Salvador Allende in 1970.

Tirman doesn’t stop at American economic policy though. 100 Ways also explores the disintegration of American culture, from how some Americans have cultivated the image of the “ugly American” overseas by a slovenly style of dress to the violent images found on television and in the lyrics of Gangsta rap. However, with the critique on culture and policy comes a wise chapter of what America does right. Here, Tirman points out to many positive developments America has been a lead player in. Tirman finds great hope in the technological and humanitarian achievements our country has fostered.

Article Author: Larry Sakin

Larry Sakin is a former music executive and non-profit medical organization administrator. He advocates for literacy issues and provides advocacy training for grassroots and non-profit groups around the country.

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