WITH the United States, long accused of cultural imperialism, now cast in the role of peace maker it falls to corporate America, in the shape of the ubiquitous Ronald McDonald and the Disney Corporation, to threaten other cultures with the corrosive power of the almighty dollar.

On the small British crown colony of Bermuda this week, french fries and burgers came with a side order of alleged political nepotism when a row erupted over the granting of a license to run the first McDonald's on the island. The license, awarded to a company headed by former premier Sir John Swan, has generated fierce opposition and a debate among Bermudians over cultural values.

Bermuda has tough planning laws regulating neon signs, billboards and fast food outlets. An application to open a McDonald's 20 years ago was turned down. An opposition politician commented that "it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth", a remark presumably referring to alleged political irregularities and not, one hopes, to the wholesome nature of McDonald's cuisine.