I am currently reading the European Dream by Jeremy Rifkin. While I have had some strong comments on this blog in regards to European work life, its merely because I’m a bit jealous! This is the first of several posts regarding the European Dream.
The book is a comparison of the American Dream with that of the European Dream. Most people know what the American Dream (AD) is all about, the pursuit of happiness and individually attained economic security. Somewhere, though, the AD has become a nightmare of commercialism. A dream in which ones every material want is fulfilled. Obviously, material wants are endless and thus the dream is just that. The other problem is that the cornerstone of the AD is individualism. Show me a case where uncontrolled individualism did not end in greed and corruption?!
The European Dream (ED) on the other hand is more centered on society. Where people and governments share a common task of providing for all in society. The book relates a rather utopian view of the ED, which may be its only downfall. But, the AD is just as utopian. The author does talk about some of Europe’s shortcomings, such as high unemployment and racism...and these are major problems. The question is, which dream is more sustainable or better to strive for?
As I read the book, I hope to form a better opinion about the European Dream. As an American though, I am disillusioned with the American Dream and its economic system that seems to be on its last legs, totally unsustainable, and completely self centered. Are today’s market conditions with new highs in the stock exchange the calm before the storm?
1 Comments:
You know, it seems to me that the storm is already happening. It's a quiet storm, it is though growing progressively violent.
There is no more middle class. The United States really doesn't have a middle class. It has a large working class with high standards of living.
You and I have both visited and spent some time in Europe. I with the study abroad. I think the lifestyle is more sustainable over there.
Most Americans do not have to worry about retirement or vacation days or sustaining the economy because most of them will be dead. They are supersizing themselves to death.
As you've noted on this blog before - supersize work hours, to buy a supersized house, to drive a supersized vehicle, to the supersized fast food joint, to order the supersized meal, with supersized fat, sugar and sodium contents, which leads to a death (and a supersized funeral) and burial in a supersized coffin.
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