The late Madeleine Albright, a former U.S. ambassador and secretary of state, once referred to the United States as the “indispensable nation.” This catchy phrase has been invoked by U.S. politicians and analysts ever since, nearly a quarter-century after it was first uttered.
The U.S., however, can be a quite self-centered nation too. Americans witnessed this during the multiday saga last week on the floor of the House of Representatives as Republican lawmakers fought among themselves over who deserved the speakership. Kevin McCarthy eventually claimed the gavel on the 15th vote in the middle of the night.
Americans also read and watched this narcissism play out in the commentary dissecting the speakership vote.
