Styrian perspective: “Europeans only think they know America well”

While election campaigns here and there are more polarizing than ever, the Austrian-American Society (ÖAG) emphasizes bringing people together. MeinBezirk spoke with American scholar Roberta Maierhofer about false assumptions and cultural exchange.

Cross/Styria. If in America With the presidential elections looming, the domestic media landscape remains untouched. “Of course there are a lot of people here who are asking themselves what does this have to do with me,” he said. ShepherdAmerican Roberta MeyerhoferIt assures: “Perhaps someone in this country cannot immediately feel the consequences, but in one way or another such political changes permeate international events, because ultimately all countries are related.”

Meyerhofer sometimes continues his special interest in the “Land of the Free” as head of the Styrian state organization. Austrian-American Society (ÖAG). Despite many stark differences between democratic institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, he sees parallels in the fight between the increasing polarization of the red-white-red political landscape. Kamala Harris And Donald Trump: “But America has always been a divided country with two major parties, the liberal Democrats and the conservative Republicans, which is really quite different from what we know from the European context.”

Even today's deluge of information has not changed the fact that for many – contrary to their own assumptions – the “American soul” remains a closed book. “Europeans think we know America very well because it's through TV series, movies, stills and now even presidential statements,” Maierhofer said.

But the reality on the ground is more complicated and Political skills Very much Less centrality Often more organized than expected. “For example, when Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement when he was president, it caused quite a stir in Europe. But the 50 US states still have a lot of individual rights and have taken strong measures to protect the environment.”

Dates around Election Day

In order to promote mutual understanding and cultural and economic exchange, ÖAG (English: Austro-American Society for Styria, ref.) various events in Cross – for example Martin Luther King Day In honor of the assassinated African-American civil rights activist in 1968, with traditional celebrations Independence Day 4th of July or America ThanksgivingThe American equivalent of Thanksgiving.

As an “information portal” for Americans living in Styria and Americanophile Styrians, the community is definitely dedicated to current political dialogue. For example, November 4th is the day before the US presidential election Group discussion On campus Urania Styria (Start: 5:15 PM). And a meeting will be held at the center on November 6, the day after the election Inter-American Studies Called 9am to 11am at Cross University “Election Ceremony” instead of

More information about ÖAG Steiermark: www.oag-stmk.at

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