From 2005: The American Dream vs The European Dream
Jeremy Rifkin wrote 16 years ago that the American dream is insular and focused on the self. “Americans hold a negative definition of what it means to be free and, thus, secure. For us, freedom has long been associated with autonomy.”
By contrast, “[t]he new [European] dream is focused not on amassing wealth but, rather, on elevating the human spirit. The European Dream seeks to expand human empathy, not territory.
It takes humanity out of the materialist prison in which it has been bound since the early days of the 18th century Enlightenment and into the light of a new future motivated by idealism.“
What do you think, DLers?
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | February 8, 2020 7:07 PM
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Not sure about Europe but he’s right about America.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | February 8, 2020 6:41 PM
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"It takes humanity out of the materialist prison in which it has been bound since the early days of the 18th century Enlightenment and into the light of a new future motivated by idealism.“
Uh huh.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | February 8, 2020 6:56 PM
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The author explicitly states that he agrees with the European vision, so his faux analysis of America is intended only to denigrate. However, he is correct that European and American views are very different. Regardless of which is better, it's a good reason for America to unhitch its wagon from the increasingly divergent Europe.
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | February 8, 2020 7:07 PM
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