Absolutely . Americans seem to see the government as an outsider that is positioned against the society , whereas Europeans tend to see government as the net between the individuals of society . The first perspective makes you sceptical and even hostile against any form of government , the second makes you more optimistic . The funny thing though is that most Americans I met would not see that weakining the government as much as possible doesn ' t liberate you from politics , but puts the society in the hands of private institutions and corporates to define politics . I never got that . Only in the USA was it possible that a billionaire could bring you to elect him by saying he is outside of the establishment . Americans , why are you so afraid of shaping your society together as a political community accept that government is the people in a functioning constellation ?