It stems from two impulses. The first comes from the urge to romanticize and identify with the Indian lifestyle and bestow the exalted "victim" status upon them. This is largely caused by near-complete ignorance, coupled with a dash of self-righteousness. It also results from a desire to admire their enemies, a classic mistake. Back in the days of the Cold War, I respected Soviet capabilities but never admired or wanted to be like them as a nation or society.
The second comes from the classic Rousseauian concept of the "noble savage," people who lived in the original "state of nature" to which many Enlightenment "thinkers" aspired. It postulates that men originally lived in bliss, at one with nature and gentle and loving to their fellow creatures, human and animal. In fact, as Hobbes pointed out, life in the state of nature was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.
The latter phenomena is currently manifested today as environmentalism. Liberal attitudes and arguments don't change -- just current circumstances.
“...Back in the days of the Cold War, I respected Soviet capabilities but never admired or wanted to be like them as a nation or society. ...”
Yeah, there’s a difference between respecting the foe, and his abilities / capabilities, versus wishing to BE like them. Some folks amongst us never understood that difference.
Hell, even Patton respected Rommel, and vice-versa.
“Rommel, you magnificent bastard I READ YOUR BOOK!!!” Hahah!
(It was actually Guderian’s book, if I’m not mistaken...but it made a GREAT Hollywood movie line!! And let’s face it - WHO else but George C. Scott could have played Patton??? Or Ebenezer Scrooge for that matter!)