'Leader Of The Free World'?

[EssieTregowan]

I've watched loads of US political dramas lately. They all call the President the 'Leader of the Free World'.

Is that really how Americans see themselves? It's a bit insulting/deluded, isn't it? Or is the president actually the most powerful man in the world (another thing they always say). Bit scary if that's true considering who it is now.

Does the US really have all the power, globally? Or is it just propaganda?

Or do I just watch too much telly and it's not how it is at all?

[TheStoic]

It's a term left over from the Cold War. 'Free World' as opposed to the Communist countries.

[TheStoic]

And right now, I'd say Putin was the most powerful person in the world. Kind of ironic...

[DJBaggySmalls]

I know a few Americans online and its how some of them see themselves. When the USA had a lot of influence they dragged us through McCarthyism into the Cold War. They dont like to be reminded of that.

Trump seems to see himself in that role

[gabsdot]

I live in a free democratic country and he's not my leader, thank goodness.

I think a lot of Americans do think that America is the greatest country in the world and feel sorry for the rest of us for not being American.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork]

They really do seem to think like that. It's bollocks though, Trump couldn't lead an alcoholic to a bar, let alone the whole world.

It is a hold over from the days when they were more powerful globally, from the Cold War I think?
You might just as well call Angela Merkel the leader of the free world.

[VestalVirgin]

It is not so free if there is a supreme leader, is it? Especially not in the current situation.

But yeah, unfortunately, the US president is very powerful. Only really counterbalanced by Russia, which is ... very worrying, considering just who is the head of state there.

[EssieTregowan]

God it's scary.

Let's hope there's a real life Olivia Pope or Elizabeth McCord keeping things square.

[VestalVirgin]

It is a hold over from the days when they were more powerful globally, from the Cold War I think? You might just as well call Angela Merkel the leader of the free world.

Which would be more accurate. I feel freer in Germany than I would in the US.

But Germany doesn't have an atom bomb. So ... yeah.

[Huldra]

I've heard tv presenters in the UK use that expression too, it really irritates me as there is nothing accurate about it. Leaving aside the bit about the Free World, when on earth did the UK, Germany, Croatia, Australia vote for him? He is president of the USA.

President of one of the post powerful economies in the world maybe.