Hey Stan – I think you’re right on this point, and for a very fundamental reason too. We’re acting more European than the Europeans. Check out this Jerusalem Post article from three days ago:
These differences [between the US and Europe] have deep philosophical roots – Locke on the one side, Rousseau on the other. Economically, it’s a case of free markets versus “social markets,” of efficiency versus consensus. Politically as well as diplomatically, it’s the difference between being results-oriented and being process-oriented.
At the most fundamental level, however, the difference is this: In today’s world, Americans are the actors, and Europeans – indeed, everyone else – are the acted-upon. In 2003, the truly serious question Europe raised was whether the former should, by dint of their overwhelming power, have the effective right to dictate to the latter the kind of world in which they all must live. In other words, the question wasn’t a substantive or moral one, as in, “who’s right?” but a procedural and democratic one, as in “who decides?”
At the most fundamental level, however, the difference is this: In today’s world, Americans are the actors, and Europeans – indeed, everyone else – are the acted-upon. In 2003, the truly serious question Europe raised was whether the former should, by dint of their overwhelming power, have the effective right to dictate to the latter the kind of world in which they all must live. In other words, the question wasn’t a substantive or moral one, as in, “who’s right?” but a procedural and democratic one, as in “who decides?”
So Europe is filled with process-oriented pansies and the US is filled with moral actors? Seems reasonable. But in this case, its the US that is focusing on the process and Europe that is focusing on the results. The US needs to get back to doing what it’s been doing so well – exporting freedom and democracy. And Europe needs to get back to doing what it’s been doing so well – being the US’s political, economic, and cultural bitch.
Related Mere Rhetoric Posts:Obligatory Post About New Organ Harvesting Story That Provides "No Evidence" For Organ Har...
Aww... Glut Of Gaza Products Putting Small-Time Smugglers Out Of Business
MSM: Why Should Facts Be Allowed To Get In The Way Of Our Anti-Israel Narrative?
NYT Slams "Master Manipulator" Netanyahu, Ignores Abbas's Pro-Terrorism High School Gradua...
