The United States is a very exceptional country, in that it was originally founded on ideas, mostly. I'm sure you've heard about the "American way" and the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". The American people are capable of great things, and the 20th century was indeed theirs.
This century, however, seems a little more threatening, with the war on terror and a weaker economy. The rise of China also means there is another big competitor in the world stage. To make matters worse, their country also has a little of an image problem currently.
Sadly, I find that the instinct is to close up, to keep on ignoring what is happening in the rest of the world, and to refuse to understand how others see what is going on. Hardball negotiation doesn't work anymore.
Thankfully, there is also a group of people who understand that the US cannot afford to do that.
Are you saying that there is more than one American way? Many kinds of Americans? Many views and reactions to globalization? Maybe it is the American way to NOT all take the same view. That would be a good thing, eh?
That's exactly what I'd like to hear, although I'm not always so sure 😉
The thing with the whole phase American way is that it reminds me of American exceptionalism, which, given its close relationship with the idea of Manifest destiny, is something I can't agree with.