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It has been noted that in western philosophies, a four square matrix exists which describes the overall mood of a philosophy. On one axis, whether the philosophy is optimistic or pessimistic; and on the other, whether the philosophy is realistic or idealistic.

For the most part, America is both optimistic and realistic, with Americans thinking that the future will be better, but understanding that it will never be perfect.

However there is a slice of the east coast called the Tidewater, founded by stern people like the Puritans, that is just the opposite, their philosophy being both pessimistic and idealistic.

Europe has suffered through well over a thousand years of war, so has had all the idealism and optimism burned out of it. So they are pessimistic and realistic. “Things will go on like this for years, then get worse.” It is no surprise that they prefer endless jawboning, committee meetings and other drab time-wasters as a group, leaving it up to individual nations to show any sporadic strength of character.

Last but not least is enigmatic Russia, which oddly enough is both optimistic and idealistic. But they are also philosophically divided by western and eastern philosophies, which have their own rules. So their optimism makes them attractive as a people to Americans, their idealism makes them seem a little bonkers; but when their Asiatic side is engaged, Americans are often freaked out by it.