"America's National Character" by Watsuji Tetsurō: A Translation

In this translation, Watsuji condemns both Britain and the United States of America as mechanized societies that focus on civilization at the expense of culture. In his diatribe, the Western obsession with machines and invention, and the justification for colonial expansion, are the consequence of the personification of two characteristics found, respectively, in the thought of Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes. More specifically, Watsuji claims that, as a consequence of the climatic challenge that Anglo Saxon colonists experienced, these characteristics formed a unique pioneer character indicative of America's national character.