User:Antidiskriminator/Drafts of articles/Demonisation of United States

Demonisation of United States or Demonization of America is a propaganda campaign of demonizing United States of America. This campaign was pursued by many different movements which perceived USA as an enemy, i.e. by the elements of communist or radical Islamic movements. The United States of America are portrayed as demonic force responsible for the poverty of world's population. The United States, as secular authority, are demonized by various ethnoreligious groups in their attempt to reduce the power of USA and discredit them.

Soviet Union and Russia
The Soviet Union demonized the Western powers depicting them with Satan features, although communist do not believe in God or in Satan. Demonization between USA and Soviets was mutual because Western powers also demonized the Soviets.

Some American authors believe that Russia (successor of Soviet Union) pursued the policy aimed to demonize America and weaken its ties with Europe.

In April 2012 the president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev stated that it is unnecessary for Russia to demonize America emphasizing "we are a big sovereign country, and no one can interfere with us".

Latin America
According to Robert S. Leiken, in one period during the Cold War there was significant influence of Soviet Union to Latin American press which disseminated text with demonized image of USA. This view is disputed by some other authors. In April 2009 American president Obama pleaded to the leaders of the region of Middle America to cease their campaign of demonization of America.

By radical Islamic movements
Members of more radical Islamic movements believe that the policy of USA has consistently been anti-Islamic. The consequence is "mutual satanization" between them and America. Demonization of America in the Arab Muslim societies based on perception that USA and Western world are allies and protectors of Israel, prevents any rational analysis of the policy of USA and contributes to development of the radical Islam. The religious fundamentalists on the Middle East demonized America and referred to it as the "great Satan". In Iran the Demonization of America was a political strategy of the Ayatollah, aimed to unite Iranian people under his leadership. Iranian politicians routinely referred to United States as the "Great Satan" in period between the beginning of the Islamic revolution in late 1970's until 1997.

In 2009 British Foreign secretary David Miliband stated that demonisation of America and the West has been staple of the governments of Iran for three decades.

Consequences
The consequences of the demonization of America include pulling apart the West and idea of the West trough questioning existence of the mutual interest between Europe and America. Some authors hastily proclaimed that terrorism is result of demonization of America.