I realised that Americans make a distinction between "United States" the place, and "America" the archetype, the ideal. I waxed poetic here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/icarusancalion/277082.html?thread=3259482#t3259482). I can see why there's confusion if people don't realise we mean two different things.
We actually switch words when we're talking about one or the other. There's a little sloppiness, but generally that holds true.
The concept "America" is synonomous with democracy, freedom, etc. So we'll never have a problem with saying "America" invented democracy. But if someone stood up and said the United States invented democracy, we'd come to a screeching halt and say "whoa, hold on here."
Like most archetypes, "America" is a very amorphous idea invoking many broad ideals.
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branchandroot
I've been thinking about this...
Date: 2004-09-18 10:24 am (UTC)We actually switch words when we're talking about one or the other. There's a little sloppiness, but generally that holds true.
The concept "America" is synonomous with democracy, freedom, etc. So we'll never have a problem with saying "America" invented democracy. But if someone stood up and said the United States invented democracy, we'd come to a screeching halt and say "whoa, hold on here."
Like most archetypes, "America" is a very amorphous idea invoking many broad ideals.
Icarus