Topic: America's Place in the World

Michael Porter: The U.S. is caught up in these issues big time. I think that the kind of tragic thing about the U.S. situation right now is, I think for a country where the vast majority of Americans have such good motives – and try so hard around the basics of freedom and democracy, and helping other people, and being generous, and being philanthropic and all these things – that somehow the country gets demonized and attacked.

Frankly, I find it at the very grassroots level as I travel around the world, which I do a lot.

I think there’s a tremendous level of respect for the U.S., but for whatever reason, if you read the newspaper, you would think we’re the worst country in the world. And I don’t think that any of the folks that call us names have even glanced at themselves at the mirror, because I don’t know how you would come to that conclusion.

So that’s troubling, and I think that’s partly our own fault; and I think it’s because of the way we’ve engaged the world lately. And I think we can do so much more.

Recorded on: June 11, 2007