The Ugly American

by

Eugene Burdick and William J. Lederer

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The Ugly American: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Ambassador MacWhite expects the reprimanding letter from the Secretary of State long before it arrives. When Brown attacked his testimony in the Senate, numerous journalists contacted MacWhite in Haidho for comment. MacWhite reads the Secretary of State’s letter, which states that the government is very displeased with his criticisms of the Foreign Service, which they find immodest, “even if true.” The Secretary does not want MacWhite to resign, but wants “assurance that [his] future behavior will conform” to expectations.
The Secretary of State places greater importance on the fact that MacWhite acted immodestly than on argument that the American Foreign Service is a catastrophic failure. This suggests that the Secretary of State is more concerned with bureaucracy and politics than with strengthening America’s foreign policy and international reputation.
Themes
The Failure of the American Foreign Service Theme Icon
MacWhite decides to try one last time to make positive changes, and if he cannot, he will resign. He replies to the Secretary of State’s letter with an outline of his belief that the Russian Communists are winning in Southeast Asia, and around the world, because their workers are diligent, modest, and humble. In MacWhite’s mind, Russia will conquer the world without ever firing a shot as long as Americans continue to behave reprehensibly abroad. He believes the United States will only maintain its influence if Americans learn to act morally and professionally in every aspect of their lives. MacWhite estimates states he has only seen a small handful of Americans actually do so.
Where the Secretary of State minimizes diplomatic failings, implying that they are less important than ensuring that MacWhite “conform[s]” to expectations, MacWhite’s argument that the Russians will win through superior diplomacy raises the stakes of every American diplomatic failure. If MacWhite is correct, bumbling officials and cultural gaffes are not trivial failures but significant threats to national security and the non-Communist, democratic way of life.
Themes
The Failure of the American Foreign Service Theme Icon
Communism vs. Capitalism Theme Icon
Quotes
MacWhite recommends several new requirements for Foreign Service workers to adhere to that will help America rebuild its international reputation: they cannot live more luxuriously abroad than they would at home, they must be fluent in the local language, they must study Communist literature, and so on. MacWhite thinks that life abroad should be challenging, not luxurious, so as only to attract “superior people” looking for a challenge. If the government cannot find such people and send them abroad, he believes Russia will win control of Asia.
MacWhite’s recommendations are designed to make any position with the Foreign Service challenging, something that people work hard and train for rather than accept as a luxury position. In this sense, MacWhite’s vision for the Foreign Service would much more closely resemble the Russian Foreign Service as Louis Krupitzyn experiences, which requires years of hard training and dedication.
Themes
The Failure of the American Foreign Service Theme Icon
Communism vs. Capitalism Theme Icon
As MacWhite waits for the Secretary’s response, he visits Tex Wolchek’s training camp, where he trains Sarkhanese guerilla fighters. He sees Chang ‘Dong’s new industrial businesses, Father Finian’s school for young Sarkhanese students, and the short-legged cattle that introduced beef and milk into the country. The Secretary of State sends a cable announcing that MacWhite will be removed from his position and replaced by Joe Bing.
MacWhite’s removal from his post suggests that in its current form, the American Foreign Service does not want effective, dedicated workers, but only people who will abide by the status quo. That MacWhite is replaced with Joe Bing, the quintessential boorish American, suggests that the authors do not expect anything to seriously change, although a few grassroots developers may quietly and privately have a positive impact.
Themes
The Failure of the American Foreign Service Theme Icon
Grassroots Development Theme Icon
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