How Is America Looking Now in the Eyes of the World?
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American “exceptionalism” was first trumpeted in 1831 by the French political observer Alexis de Tocqueville, who lauded our emerging nation’s unique ideology based on limited government, liberty, egalitarianism, individualism and populism.
America became the
destination of Europeans tired of being politically and religiously oppressed by theocratic despots and economically oppressed by the privileged ruling classes. America offered the opportunity for economic progress based on effort rather than class standing. It was the “golden door” as immortalized on the base of the Statue of Liberty.
In European eyes, America’s promise continued well into the 20th century. In 1941, FDR articulated to the world America’s support for four fundamental freedoms — freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
Subsequent administrations, with bipartisan support, endeavored to mitigate economic and political discrimination against minorities and to provide economic safety nets to the recently unemployed and to families with dependent children. Steps were taken to ensure health coverage to the aged, the young and low income earners.
Over the last decade, however, government programs to secure “freedom from want” have been increasingly called into question. Many now feel that government economic guarantees serve as a disincentive to the personal industry and accountability they considered critical to America’s successes. Concomitantly, the rapid increase in the share of income going to the richest Americans has resulted in increased attention to “class warfare.” Conflicts over the appropriate role for government currently now take center stage in the political arena.
West Europeans, in contrast, have remained widely supportive of a different social compact. They are accepting of higher tax burdens and a relative leveling in incomes in order to ensure economic well-being and economic opportunity for all citizens. Individual liberties are protected by institutionalizing the tolerance of differences. Governments are trusted to do the bidding of the people.
West European governments walk the talk when it comes to personal liberty and tolerance. Throughout most of West Europe, abortion is legal upon request, or exceptions are made for rape, health, mental illness and fetal defects. All West European countries have legalized either gay marriage or same-sex civil unions.
West Europeans consider it essential to ensure that all of their fellow countrymen have access to a basic standard of living. Access to health care is considered as a right, not a privilege. Minimum wages are set at levels that allow workers to stand on their own two feet. West Europeans see an American income distribution heavily skewed in favor of the richest classes, an American middle class under siege, and lower classes unable to gain access to basic necessities.
West Europeans understand the importance of education to upward mobility, which studies have shown is now greater than in the United States. The quality of public education is relatively standardized throughout each nation, while college tuition is either free or heavily subsidized. Many American students, however, are disadvantaged by inadequate public schooling or find themselves priced out of a college education.
Europeans look to and trust government to provide a wide range of services on their behalf and accept a heavy tax burden to get the job done. They view the American political system as being rendered ineffective by partisanship, noting that American confidence in its Congress is at record lows.
West Europeans also see the increased influence of American moneyed interests in engineering legislation and influencing electoral outcomes. They read about actions taken by states to potentially limit voter access to the ballot box.
Americans tend to be dismissive of European attitudes across the board and are loath to assess our nation’s strengths and weakness vis-à-vis other countries. Most Americans feel government has become too costly. Many Americans believe there are limits as to what behaviors should be tolerated in order to maintain the American way.
The prospect of increasing taxes on the majority of Americans to address current financial problems, broaden entitlement programs, or substantially improve educational quality seems beyond the pale, regardless of the political party in power.
We are truly a great country, capable of great deeds. We remain the richest and most powerful nation on Earth. We are a warm, welcoming and engaging people. We are “can do.” Although a 21st century de Tocqueville would be quick to acknowledge America’s accomplishments and its unique role on the world’s stage, one wonders whether he would continue to characterize America as exceptional in comparison with West European countries.
West Europeans clearly have problems of their own, but — unlike here — they have resolved the conflicts over the appropriate role for government in ensuring economic security, educational equality and individual choice.
Paul Ericson is a retired social studies teacher at Pinecrest High School. He previously served with the U.S. Army and the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Comments
nothingspecial 6 months ago
.
clarabelle 6 months ago
damn......... by far the most intelligent post "nothingspecial" has ever made!
Middleman522 6 months ago
The countries that are spoken about in this post are so much smaller than ours and that makes big government easier to manage. The amount of people the US would have to take care of under this socialist like system, would be about the size of most of these countries, or bigger. The amount of "union" government employees it takes to run these programs will eat up way too much of our tax dollars to justify it. States are in a much better place to take care of the "needy"! We now have developed another class of the "wantee" that is a whole new story. Until we get a grip on this and realize that anything done on a federal level costs a lot more than it would on a state level, we will stay in debt and the division of this great country will remain. Personal responsibility needs to be taught in schools instead of government dependency. " Now you can quit your jobs and work on your art, now that you have "free healthcare"! Palosi!! Party Leader??
JD 6 months ago
Personal responsibility needs to be taught in schools instead of government dependency.
Citation needed.
fatboy 6 months ago
Wow!! Former Army AND CIA, now teacher. Just proves my point that there is no direct correlation between intellegence and common sense.
coffecreme 6 months ago
Excellent opinion piece.
packwilleat 6 months ago
"Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom."
~ Alexis de Tocqueville
Democracy in America should be required reading for all Americans.
pgericson 6 months ago
@Fatboy... whatever do you mean?
teufelhunden 6 months ago
pack-Ain't it the truth.
Middleman522 6 months ago
Redistribution central, Washington, DC!! Buying votes with tax payer money and borrowed funds from the Fed and China. The Unions borrowed money this year to run ads to get Oblaima back in the redistribution center! They work a lot like Oblaima! Union leaders understand easy money, and Oblaima has perfected free money. That's the way you do it, money for nothin! Free cell phones, food, when unemployment runs out they go on disability for life, free health insurance. Their was another progressive group that tried this in Germany years ago I believe...When GM can't sell ANY of it's union junk, they may get free cars too! Stay tuned... Is this not a great country??
packwilleat 6 months ago
"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."
~ Alexis de Tocqueville
The Frenchman was 28 years of age when he published Democracy in America. The 28 year olds of today can only tell you who is playing the Monday night game, when the new Xbox is coming out, and who won American Idol. Pretty sad actually.
teufelhunden 6 months ago
Bill O'Reilly: How the entitlement society makes America weaker Published November 20, 2012 | O'Reilly Factor | Bill O'Reilly
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/2012/11/21/bill-oreilly-how-entitlement-society-makes-america-weaker#ixzz2CtSsG0qs
packwilleat 6 months ago
Paul Ericson ~ you apparently have not read much by Alexis de Tocqueville or studied the disastrous years of FDR. But now you are teaching our children?? God have mercy on our once great nation.
clarabelle 6 months ago
packwilleat - seems you need to read closer........
"Paul Ericson is a retired social studies teacher"
btw.......... it would be nice if you stopped the innuendos and were a bit more explicit in your comments!
clarabelle 6 months ago
" Middleman522 - Redistribution central, Washington, DC!! Buying votes with tax payer money and borrowed funds from the Fed and China. The Unions borrowed money this year to run ads to get Oblaima back in the redistribution center! They work a lot like Oblaima! Union leaders understand easy money, and Oblaima has perfected free money. "
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH.................Bill O'Reilly wannabe.
Who knows.......... gain some weight and you can try for rush lardbaugh!
teufelhunden 6 months ago
Now that's an intelligent argument.
packwilleat 6 months ago
Sorry clarabelle, I mixed up his retiring and service. Have a good Thanksgiving!!
clarabelle 6 months ago
" teufelhunden - Now that's an intelligent argument."
Thank you - I am trying to keep on the same level as you guys - you know ........ 3rd grade!
Nezumi 6 months ago
Thank you for the interesting article, Mr. Ericson.
buddysmith 6 months ago
" How is America looking now in the eyes of the world"? It depends on how much we are paying them in economic aid!
packwilleat 6 months ago
The true history of FDR....... everything your teachers never told you.
http://mises.org/freemarket_detail.aspx?control=258
turntheothercheek 6 months ago
101jackson ~ "we have a system of government that is constantly needing more from fewer and fewer, yet allowing so many to join the ranks of the recipients of these many programs" I'm glad to see that you've become an Obama supporter. Do you not get that this argument is supporting what Obama ran on? The rich need to pay more in taxes. The rich is a small amount of the country, I'm sure the numbers vary, but the top 1% of the country controls 42% of the Wealth. So, the Rich get Richer, and the Poor get poorer. Which translates into there being a larger burden on the Rich.
I can't believe that anyone honestly believes that the top 1 or 2% of the country should pay a smaller percentage rate then the rest of us. If I pay out say 20% to income tax, then the Rich jerks Trump or Rove should be paying at least that. The biggest problem here is for most of us paying out that much can be a huge drain on our lives, forcing many to rely on Food and Nutrition or other government help just to keep a roof over our heads and our families fed. While for a Trump or Rove it simply means one less jet or vacation home.
And we all need to worry about how the world views us. We used to be a Nation that others flocked to and dreamt of being a part of, and now we are feeding on each other and trying to oppress some of our citizens. Its sad watching this country go down the drains, I just pray that we will find our way out, in spite of Hate Mongers that want to do nothing but tear others down. Great, Well written article. I enjoyed reading it.
packwilleat 6 months ago
I'll share it again. This is how the "soak the rich" philosophy really works........
http://mises.org/daily/6241/Soak-the-Rich