Book review----The European Dream
Book review----The European Dream
American Dream, which is widely known by the world, encourages people to try his best to reach the goal. It believes that one can be anyone he chooses to be. (P12) It is with this American credo, Americans formed the independence and hardworking personality, and the US becomes the most powerful nation in the world. However, in this book, Rifkin notions that with the increasingly development of globalization, the American Dream is losing its luster, and changes to the more timely, more vigorous European Dreams. He suggests that the 21st century will become the century of Europe.
Rifkin points out the new European Dream, which is like the mirror opposite of the American Dream, is inseparably linked to the fall of it. (P13, P16) Therefore, to understand the European Dream, we need to compare with the American Dream. For this, the author has a very good summary: the American Dream puts emphasis on economic growth, personal wealth, and independence. The new European Dream focuses more on sustainable development, quality of life. Americans live for work, while Europeans work for life. The American Dream is assimilationist, but the European Dream emphasis their cultural identity. Americans are more willing to employ military force while the Europeans favor diplomacy, economic assistance, and aid. The American Dream is deeply personal and little concerned with the rest of humanity. The European Dream is more expansive and systemic in nature and more bound to the welfare of the planet. (P14)
The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Rifkin explores the process of the changing. Americans think them as chosen people from God, and have a strong sense of proud and responsibility. However, in recent years, Americans increasingly tend to get something for nothing, as well as the decline of the American civic-mindedness. The American Dream is in a slow death, while the Europe seized the pulse of the times, and becomes the most promising place. “The Europe combines a post-modern sensitivity to multiple perspectives and multiculturalism with a new universal vision.” The author thinks that the new European Dream takes us into a global age. (P84)
In the second part, it calls back to the contributions American and Europe made to the world in history. The ever rapid development of industrial technology in Europe shortened the space and time in the world. Capitalism originated from Europe, at last is deeply rooted in the United States. Thoughts such as freedom, independence are also derived from the Europe, but now they are creeds in America. Americans become the purist advocates of them, while Europe is preparing to move beyond. Europe values the future, while the United States pays more attention to the past. This chapter is more a reflection than a simple historical review.
The author calls the third part as the coming global era. Although there are still some problems（such as immigrate dilemma, the political gridlock in EU）, the European system is more modern. Europeans seek to incorporate both universal human rights and more parochial cultural rights under the same political tent, aiming at accommodating multi-culturalism and human rights at the same time (P243). The author calls them the Second Enlightenment. That is what makes the 21st century to be the century of Europe.
Rifkin provides us with a new perspective to understand the United States and Europe. First, there is no doubt that Europe has progressive significance. Along with the development of globalization, the distances between countries and humans are much narrower. In this case, the Europe breaks up the limit of nation states, and explores a new model of relationship between countries. On the way of integration, it has made great achievements. It pays more attention to humans, nature and the whole world, rather than its own interest. Therefore, sustainable development, global governance become the new issues for its attention. All of these are consistent with contemporary society. In the process of the author's research, the comparison between the United States and Europe helps us better understand the two parts. Some of China's studies, which are not that objective, do not distinguish the United States and Europe at all, but see them as a whole, and collectively known as “the west”. From this book, we can even find out that, to a certain extent, some of the European values are similar to that of China. Additionally, the comparison method and historical method, which the author uses in the book, have a great reference for us in doing research.
However, we cannot ignore the shortcomings in the author's research. First of all, the data Rifkin quotes are too optimistic. For example, the author mentions Europe is better than the US both in the amount of GDP and productivity. But the Europe as a whole falls far behind the United States on the GDP growth rate. European countries mire in high unemployment controversy over the years. There are still many deficiencies in economy. More importantly, the book was published in 2006, when the economy and integration affairs went not bad in Europe. Rifkin speaks highly of the EU Constitution. But the so called universalism constitution treaty was vetoed by Netherlands and France, which has been suspended indefinitely. Not far from 2006, Europe fell in debt crisis. The duration was long, while the solving method was slow. People suspected how long will the EU exist. What is more, the author regards Europe as a whole, but Europe is far from a piece of iron plate. In the EU level it is difficult to use the same voice. Also, the author ignores the analysis of the national level. It is sure domestic politics is an important aspect.
Will the 21st century be the century of Europe? The European model, with its constantly exploration, proposes a new way for international relations. Europe also has strong soft power, which is different from the aggressive ones in America. The European Dream is more cosmopolitan and humanism, attracting many parts of the world. However, in my opinion, Europe is more a normative force. Its characteristic makes it more conducive to world peace and stability. It will not become the dominant force or hegemony country in the 21st century.
American Dream, which is widely known by the world, encourages people to try his best to reach the goal. It believes that one can be anyone he chooses to be. (P12) It is with this American credo, Americans formed the independence and hardworking personality, and the US becomes the most powerful nation in the world. However, in this book, Rifkin notions that with the increasingly development of globalization, the American Dream is losing its luster, and changes to the more timely, more vigorous European Dreams. He suggests that the 21st century will become the century of Europe.
Rifkin points out the new European Dream, which is like the mirror opposite of the American Dream, is inseparably linked to the fall of it. (P13, P16) Therefore, to understand the European Dream, we need to compare with the American Dream. For this, the author has a very good summary: the American Dream puts emphasis on economic growth, personal wealth, and independence. The new European Dream focuses more on sustainable development, quality of life. Americans live for work, while Europeans work for life. The American Dream is assimilationist, but the European Dream emphasis their cultural identity. Americans are more willing to employ military force while the Europeans favor diplomacy, economic assistance, and aid. The American Dream is deeply personal and little concerned with the rest of humanity. The European Dream is more expansive and systemic in nature and more bound to the welfare of the planet. (P14)
The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Rifkin explores the process of the changing. Americans think them as chosen people from God, and have a strong sense of proud and responsibility. However, in recent years, Americans increasingly tend to get something for nothing, as well as the decline of the American civic-mindedness. The American Dream is in a slow death, while the Europe seized the pulse of the times, and becomes the most promising place. “The Europe combines a post-modern sensitivity to multiple perspectives and multiculturalism with a new universal vision.” The author thinks that the new European Dream takes us into a global age. (P84)
In the second part, it calls back to the contributions American and Europe made to the world in history. The ever rapid development of industrial technology in Europe shortened the space and time in the world. Capitalism originated from Europe, at last is deeply rooted in the United States. Thoughts such as freedom, independence are also derived from the Europe, but now they are creeds in America. Americans become the purist advocates of them, while Europe is preparing to move beyond. Europe values the future, while the United States pays more attention to the past. This chapter is more a reflection than a simple historical review.
The author calls the third part as the coming global era. Although there are still some problems（such as immigrate dilemma, the political gridlock in EU）, the European system is more modern. Europeans seek to incorporate both universal human rights and more parochial cultural rights under the same political tent, aiming at accommodating multi-culturalism and human rights at the same time (P243). The author calls them the Second Enlightenment. That is what makes the 21st century to be the century of Europe.
Rifkin provides us with a new perspective to understand the United States and Europe. First, there is no doubt that Europe has progressive significance. Along with the development of globalization, the distances between countries and humans are much narrower. In this case, the Europe breaks up the limit of nation states, and explores a new model of relationship between countries. On the way of integration, it has made great achievements. It pays more attention to humans, nature and the whole world, rather than its own interest. Therefore, sustainable development, global governance become the new issues for its attention. All of these are consistent with contemporary society. In the process of the author's research, the comparison between the United States and Europe helps us better understand the two parts. Some of China's studies, which are not that objective, do not distinguish the United States and Europe at all, but see them as a whole, and collectively known as “the west”. From this book, we can even find out that, to a certain extent, some of the European values are similar to that of China. Additionally, the comparison method and historical method, which the author uses in the book, have a great reference for us in doing research.
However, we cannot ignore the shortcomings in the author's research. First of all, the data Rifkin quotes are too optimistic. For example, the author mentions Europe is better than the US both in the amount of GDP and productivity. But the Europe as a whole falls far behind the United States on the GDP growth rate. European countries mire in high unemployment controversy over the years. There are still many deficiencies in economy. More importantly, the book was published in 2006, when the economy and integration affairs went not bad in Europe. Rifkin speaks highly of the EU Constitution. But the so called universalism constitution treaty was vetoed by Netherlands and France, which has been suspended indefinitely. Not far from 2006, Europe fell in debt crisis. The duration was long, while the solving method was slow. People suspected how long will the EU exist. What is more, the author regards Europe as a whole, but Europe is far from a piece of iron plate. In the EU level it is difficult to use the same voice. Also, the author ignores the analysis of the national level. It is sure domestic politics is an important aspect.
Will the 21st century be the century of Europe? The European model, with its constantly exploration, proposes a new way for international relations. Europe also has strong soft power, which is different from the aggressive ones in America. The European Dream is more cosmopolitan and humanism, attracting many parts of the world. However, in my opinion, Europe is more a normative force. Its characteristic makes it more conducive to world peace and stability. It will not become the dominant force or hegemony country in the 21st century.
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