Thank God America Isn't Like Europe -- Yet

Do we want the United States to be like Europe?

The European model has worked in many ways. I am delighted whenever I get a chance to go to Stockholm or Amsterdam, not to mention Rome or Paris. There's a lot to like -- a lot to love -- about day-to-day life in Europe. But I argue that the answer to this question is "no." Not for economic reasons. I want to focus on another problem with the European model: namely, that it drains too much of the ... Full Story »

Posted by Leo Romero
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Posted by: Posted by Leo Romero - Mar 22, 2009 - 8:38 AM PDT
Content Type: Article
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Edited by: Leo Romero - Mar 22, 2009 - 8:38 AM PDT
Walter Cox
4.2
by Walter Cox - Mar. 23, 2009

Charles Murray explores some of the most divisive issues of our time with--let me coin a new term--enlightened conservatism. The tired cliches of the left, so concerned with "group outcomes," yield to Murray's celebration of individual potential and the differentiated outcomes that attend this very different approach. Thoughtful and innovative, Murray lends fresh life to conservative thought based upon, of all things, modern scientific inquiry in the social sciences.

Okay, this article appeals to my personal prejudices...so shoot me. Having spent a fair amount of time in Europe, my love of European culture and sophistication runs deep. Yet my younger European friends (especially those in their twenties and thirties) overwhelmingly fit Murray's description. For America I would hope for something different: a national healthcare system-yes; the abandonment of a spiritual perspective-no; the constraining of individual entreperenurial initiative ... More »

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Dwight Rousu
1.6
by Dwight Rousu - Mar. 23, 2009

A strange essay, whacking at straw men with obscure arguments in the support of exceptionalism.

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Norman Rogers
4.7
by Norman Rogers - Mar. 22, 2009

Charles Murray is a profound thinker and he pretty well nails the disaster that is the old Europe.

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  • U.S. turning into Europe untrue, but wouldn't be all bad

    I can't fathom the new GOP hue and cry about how President Obama is supposedly trying to "Europeanize" the U.S.A. Think about it: If they couldn't successfully discredit ...
    Posted by Leo Romero