Significance of Michael Moore's 'Where to Invade Next' Documentary

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of Michael Moore's 2015/2016 documentary, 'Where to Invade Next,' examining its critical perspective on the United States and its societal issues. The assignment explores the film's satirical approach to highlighting the shortcomings of US policies and practices, contrasting them with more successful models from other countries. The analysis delves into Moore's critique of the US education system, healthcare, and cultural values, drawing comparisons with countries like Italy, Finland, and Germany. The essay also discusses the film's use of irony and satire to expose the failures of the American dream and the importance of adopting cultural practices from other nations. The document emphasizes the significance of Hofstede's cultural value dimensions and concludes by highlighting the need for the US to learn from other countries to improve its progress and achieve its aspirations.

Angle Analysis of Michael Moore's 2015/2016 documentary Where to Invade Next And
its Significance.
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Introduction
Michael Moore’s film acts as an expression of the current happenings in the United
States. Its depiction of the United States, in a rather subtle yet comic manner, acts as an
expression of the negating and dilapidating and even humiliating aspects of “the land where
everybody wins”. The context of the film is based on shedding light on the problems that the
United States and other first world countries go through. Sadly, Moore views the solutions of the
problems experienced by the United States to be found in other countries that are spread
throughout the world. Thus, Michael Moore views this as the next stage of invasion- which is
ironical in nature owing to the fact that the United States has invaded other countries and has a
track record of success in its ventures. It is plausible to assume that the next stage of invasion by
the United States is the invasion of the United States by itself (Aktas, Gelfand, & Hanges, 2016).
The film presents a rather ironical and satirical manner that represents the extent unto
which the United States has failed to efficiently provide for its people. As the film begins,
exposing the various successes that the United States has had in military warfare, it presents a
rather ironic twist through the intrigues that are presented as it progresses. The promises that the
United States has made to other countries of the world are contrary to what it has been able to
provide for herself (Graham & Jahnukainen, 2011).
There are many aspects of the film that make it intriguing. Apart from displaying the
irony that exists when one considers the United States “as the mother of all nations”, the wide
differences in terms of policies and processes in departments around the world, shows the great
gap that exists among the people and their government (for those within the United States). Italy,
for instance, is seen to have a very healthy policy that favors its people to obtain more than one
salary in one year but also has policies that prescribe a free vacation every year. Periods of

vacation and rest in Italy are also seen to be longer than those in the United States. The US is
seen to have vacation periods that are limited to ten days. Conversely, it is clear to see in the film
that vacation periods of up to eighty day are provided for in Italy apart from the many benefits
given to workers. Ironically, this ideas came from the United States, but US does not follow the
said ideas highlighted (Grek et al., 2009).
Apart from this policy, another factor that surprises me is the policy of Finland which
does not support homework for kids. There is also no standardized test within Finland. Finland
has the best education system in the world and has a student centered approach. The key idea in
Finland is to teach students to be happy, children are supposed to play in Finland. This idea has
its source from the United also. The thought of having this ideas as unthinkable come from the
notion that immense profits would not be made unless they were considered. In the United
States, the main idea that is placed in mind is making immense profits at the expense of the
students. This is contrary to the expectations of any normal society. Kids are viewed as
commodities instead of human beings with feelings and emotions (Habibov, Afandi, & Cheung,
2017).
Moore shows explicitly that the US has a level of decay. The government of the US gives
its attention on things that are not important such as developing military machinery while the
country is breaking down at its roots. The education system in the US and Canada are breaking
down. Based on the fact that education is focused on developing people who can pass exams and
does not look forward at addressing the direct problems of the people, many questions are raised
(Habibov, Afandi,& Cheung, 2017).
Slovenia, for instance, offers free university education. The ability of the students to
remain vibrant and fight for their rights in the event that the government tries to eliminate free

University education is recommendable. Conversely, the lack of comradeship among students in
the US and Canada is uncalled for. Governments of this countries are offering student loans and
expensive services that are above the students’ ability to pay. Students are forced to take loans so
as to cover for huge and uncalled for expenses (Hammick et al. 2007).
Conversely, an aspect of satire presents itself in that the source of the idea of free
education comes from the United States. People of Slovenia view education as an important
aspect of their lives which is essential for their growth and development. This raises the question,
what do the American people really value, what is do they really see as a unique and important
aspect of their lives?
American and some Canadians, have employed the capitalist approach to levels that are
not warranted for. Moore views to expose the rot that exist in the US as a country and other first
world countries that face the same challenges. Germany is a good example in Moore’s
“infiltration and colonization”. Germans are a good example of a state of acceptance. Germans
do not reject the fact that the killing of Jews was their fault. Germans have taken it upon
themselves to atone for their sins through repeating the same story in their classes and places of
residence and even workplaces. Moore exposes the fact that the cultural practices of impunity
that has been practiced by the people of the US over the decades needs to be atoned. The US has
failed in accomplishing its own “American dream” of peace and tranquility.
Moore implores the residents of the United States to change their negating culture of
ignorance and view themselves in better aspects than they currently are. The culture of the
United States does not support cohesiveness and togetherness. Conversely, the countries that
Moore visited, display a culture of togetherness, nationalism and patriotism. They display an

approach that is necessary for the development of a civilized and peaceful nation (Beugelsdijk,
Maseland, & Van Hoorn, 2015).
It is crucial in my view to understand and comprehend the cultures of other nations to
ensure that we learn the differences that exist between this countries and our own land. It is
possible to learn the pitfalls that we have as a country and ways of improving ourselves as a
country. Cultures and cultural practices are different and divers throughout the world
(Yudkevich, Altbach & Rumbley, 2015).
Moore could possibly think of invading a country like Kenya. Kenyan’s have a culture of
respect and gratitude. Respect for the rule of law is seen by the recent activity of the Kenyan
government to depose their president through judicial means just for the sake of respect for the
rule of law. The unity of Kenyans is of tremendous amounts and has helped them overcome a lot
setbacks. There is a lot that can be done by adopting the culture of respect of the rule of law as
observed by the United States (Mungai, 2017).
Conclusively, Moore presents an amazing representation of the improvements that can
be made in US to improve its progress and to make the American dream a reality. The four
value dimensions are well represented in Moore’s movie. These value dimensions which include
masculinity versus femininity, the application of the power index, the effects of individualisms
versus collectivism and the uncertainty avoidance index are well representative of the cultural
values of different countries Moore visits. The view that feminism is crucial for the development
of countries as compared to masculinity is well represented in Tunisia, an African country.
Additionally, the collective effect of collectivism is also crucial as seen in most of the Eastern
world countries. Conversely, individualism has led to the failure in development of many states
in the US. Hofstede’s value dimensions represent what the people of various parts of the world

hold dear which is, sadly, the complete opposite of what the US is considering important. The
US and Canada, have a lot to do to improve performance (Erdman, 2018).
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