> The USA also has a storied history and marked reputation among nations for its political corruption
Not so far as I can see. Political corruption is the norm in most of the world; the U.S. is perhaps not the best, but it's far, far, from the worse, even amongst roughly equivalent first-world nations. Historically I'd say the U.S. even seems to be rather well-thought of.
You could certainly trot out a list of countries many people around the world would probably consider "better" than the U.S. in terms of political corruption, but the U.S. is nowhere near the bottom of the heap.
Many people dislike the U.S., consider them a bully, etc, especially since Iraq, but "dislike" is very distinct from "consider corrupt."
Per capita and income adjusted there are far more corrupt countries.
But in terms of sheer amount of money spent on distorting politics at home, combined with countries invaded or otherwise screwed around with for economic reasons abroad, the USA is definitely hands down number one since the second world war.
This is not because the US is particularly nasty, it just has more resources to throw at this kind of stuff since becoming the dominant superpower. Though you do not become the dominant superpower by being all that nice either.
Not so far as I can see. Political corruption is the norm in most of the world; the U.S. is perhaps not the best, but it's far, far, from the worse, even amongst roughly equivalent first-world nations. Historically I'd say the U.S. even seems to be rather well-thought of.
You could certainly trot out a list of countries many people around the world would probably consider "better" than the U.S. in terms of political corruption, but the U.S. is nowhere near the bottom of the heap.
Many people dislike the U.S., consider them a bully, etc, especially since Iraq, but "dislike" is very distinct from "consider corrupt."