> The problem is that many governments, also in Europe, still see the USA as a shining example which to follow.
I've read this same argument all over the place here on HackerNews. I don't see it. And yet a lot of HNers seem to be pretty confident about this idea. What substantiates this?
Edit: to be sure, my question is concerned with policy making, not with nationalism or anti-nationalism toward any particular nation.
What become law in the USA soon becomes policy that the state department tries to get other countries to adopt through stick or carrot.
For example, Canada would of probably legalized Marijuanna by now, but the USA implied heavy stick-like consequences whenever the government brings it up, and as a result Canada backs down on the idea.
Another example are copyright and patent laws. The US makes a new law and surprise surprise, a few months later other governments in other countries start to see new laws proposed that look similar the US's laws.
Prime Minster Stephen Harper "told the President last August that Canada would pass copyright legislation," the 2008 message notes. In fact, Harper wrote a personal letter to US Ambassador David Wilkins containing the pledge. "With respect to intellectual property rights, I can assure you that the Government of Canada takes the concerns you have raised in your letter very seriously," he promised the US in April of 2007.
This is the leader of Canada that did this. There are several nations that are much poorer that have politicians who would accept minimal bribes in order to start pushing for US-style laws.
I'm not sure that you mean by "substantiate", but especially right-wing and Christian parties here in the Netherlands tend to look to the US as an example and are uncompromisingly loyal to them. For example, privatizing utilities, support in their wars, sharing financial and passenger data for "anti-terrorism", forbidding liquids in airplanes (and installing body scanners), cracking down on downloading, keeping the ACTA secret, insisting on buying USA warplanes, and so on. It's the same for a few other EU countries.
It might go to far to assume they will emulate SOPA and NDAA immediately, but I wouldn't be surprised if they tried.
I've read this same argument all over the place here on HackerNews. I don't see it. And yet a lot of HNers seem to be pretty confident about this idea. What substantiates this?
Edit: to be sure, my question is concerned with policy making, not with nationalism or anti-nationalism toward any particular nation.