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America 911, American Liberty, Christianity and Islam, Defend the modern world, Multiculturalism, United States, USA vs Europe
An argument I’ve often had with friends typically begins with my endorsement of America as being superior to both Britain and continental Europe. While this isn’t exactly a ‘radical’ opinion, it doesn’t go down well with everyone.
Despite America’s supremacy in almost everything, there are many Europeans (and even more numerous Muslims) who don’t believe this to be evidence of anything. Such views are rooted in a comfortable fallacy which imagines America to have somehow cheated its way to world-domination. Americans are considered to be too various a type and too recent an invention to be given any kind of credit for what their nation has achieved.
Needless to say, I strongly disagree with this and would like to make an opposing case for you here. Here are five (and there could obviously be many more) reasons as to why America is – in my view – intrinsically superior to the countries of the EU…..
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1. Straight Lines (and common sense).
If you go to Google Maps and compare aerial photos of London and New York, the most obvious difference between the two is the design and functionality of roads. In Manhattan, the buildings are imposed on a pre-planned grid of intersecting, straight lines; an urban design known as a ‘Grid city’. In London, by contrast, the roads and streets are clearly improvised, spidery and tangled up with one another.
I suppose the question of which layout is superior depends greatly on your own preferences, but for me, the significance of the grid city is deeper than town-planning; it is a statement of common sense and the product of a no-nonsense practicality. This is something (common sense) that Americans have in abundance, and which we Europeans lack and often scorn. The grid city is not supposed to be attractive or romantic or ‘classical’. It is purely logical, neatly functional and unapologetically modern. In fact if a single phrase could sum up the American ethos, ‘Unapologetically modern’, would be it.
2. Anti-Socialism.
It’s a question every child asks at some point in their development:
‘Why do some people have lots of cake, and some people have none?’.
A responsible American parent would answer with reference to this being the natural state of mankind. A European – in fact let’s be more direct – a European Socialist parent might answer with a longwinded philosophical critique of inequality, the free market, and (of course) of the United States of America.
Only the first child is being given something of value here. The second learns nothing except the art of resentment.
American ‘simple-mindedness’ on matters of government and economic policy has long aroused the contempt of the European and third-world Left. Leftist intellectuals have constructed tortuous theories as to how, despite all its riches, America remains somehow inferior to Europe. It matters not that even France is (officially at least) a Capitalist country. Americans are considered uniquely guilty among the beneficiaries of Capitalism because they are so infuriatingly good at it.
Capitalism in America allows individuals to flourish from the tiniest beginnings. European socialism by contrast, sands the whole of society down to a smooth and unproductive equality. The present global situation (America booming, Europe collapsing) is not a freak aberration, but the logical result of Europe’s refusal to commit (without reservation) to the modern idea.
3. Islamophobia.
America is the home of the modern world. Burkas, public stoning to death, beheadings, and prohibitions against music aren’t welcome here….. By no more complicated reasoning than this, Americans across the spectrum are saying NO to the enrichment of Islamisation.
4. The Military-Industrial Complex.
Minus the USA, either the Nazis or the Soviets would have triumphed in the Second World War. Whichever regime won, there is no convincing reason to suppose that they would not still be in power to this day. The Jews of Europe would be a memory, as would European notions of freedom, progress and individual creativity. In every important way, the continent would be held in stasis. Asia would have long ago surpassed Western European countries economically.
America prevented this by applying the principles of commercial production to the creation of its military.
After 1945, had America so desired, this military could have conquered pretty much every country outside of the Soviet Bloc. It remains colossal today.
If you want to know what awe feels like, just imagine the US army deployed at its maximum extent: Thousands upon thousands of fighter jets would provide support for acres of tanks and armoured vehicles. Submarines across every ocean would be ready to fire hundreds of cruise missiles in any direction, each of them powerful enough to destroy a mansion or presidential palace. Nuclear warheads of varying yields would be available for global delivery from land, air and sea.
Mass Production has made an army strong enough to end history.
The linking of the military to the profit-motive is controversial, but because of the success of this complex, every citizen in every democratic country can sleep a little easier at night.
5. Patriotism.
British people are not supposed to be nationalists. This is because the UK is not a country, but a group of countries, many of which dislike each other. European nationalisms likewise, are becoming more and more difficult under the soft tyranny of the EU. Given time, American nationalism may be the only Western variant which survives.
Though European nationalism has shot itself in the foot many times over, America still deserves the majority of the credit for this. I put the success of American Nationalism down to its civic and ideological emphasis. One can be fanatically proud of being American and not be suspected of the vulgarities of racism, xenophobia or hatred of others. It isn’t – after all – a pride in a jawline, or a nose-shape, but in a set of heroic ideas universally aspired to, but only rarely achieved.
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I hope these points are valid to you. I should add that I’m in no way denigrating Europe or Europeans. I am a European and believe that our geopolitical area could be vastly improved if we were a little more humble and willing to learn from others. China, notably, has done so, and is pursuing ambitious policies strikingly similar to the mass-construction and armament sprint of America during the 40s and 50s. We would do well to follow that lead.
On a final note, you may have read the following George Clemenceau quote that is often circulated by Liberals on the internet
“America is the only nation in history which miraculously has gone directly from barbarism to decadence without the usual interval of civilization.”
If it was said today, then maybe it would seem a valid point. America plainly has succumbed to forms of decadence. But it was most likely said in the roaring 20s, a time not merely of Jazz and champagne, but of massive construction and modernization across every US state. Let this appalling myopia be yet more evidence of the European capacity for self-delusion on this topic.
D, LDN.
You are incorrect about New York City. There are 5 boroughs (each is also a county) that make up New York City. Only the borough of Manhattan is on a grid. This grid is a total joy when you are trying to drive westbound on a late afternoon, only to be blinded by the setting sun for the entire width of the island. It does, however, keep pedestrians alert.
Also in New York City is the borough of Queens, where you may encounter a situation where, for example, 86th Avenue is different from 86th Street, which has no relationship to 86th boulevard, which, in turn has nothing to do with 86th lane, any two or more may cross any other of them, sometimes more than once.
Thanks, I’ll change it to Manhattan.
*Manhattan even.
Ask most Americans about European issues and your most likely answer will be “WGAF?” Europe is seen as condescending, fragmented and full of undesrved hubris. A shadow cartoon of it’s national character(s) and who complain too much without doing anything. Sorry… next time the whistle blows and the UK or France (god forbid) or “Europe” asks for help, we’ll think twice. Once bitten, twice shy. The U.S. may not be perfect but the perspective from here is much clearer. All those years of U.S. bashing are not forgotten. Not by a longshot. I commend you on this column and the nerve, and dare I say it? BRAVERY to state these points. The shouting and gnashing of teeth is practically audible on this side of the Atlantic.
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You asked us for help in both Iraq and Afghanistan and you would now like to push us into Syria as well. It was only because we had the weak and ineffectual Blair at the helm that we went into the first two, hopefully this lot will refrain from intervening in Syria as Obama’s lapdogs.
Well, I’m not sure Britain should be seen as condescending. I can well understand how France might come across that way, but please don’t lump in every European country in the same definition. As enoughofislam points out, Britain has long fought alongside America in many of the critical battles of modern history.
There are many things one could comment on here, but I will just mention two: Socialism is creeping up in America big time, especially since Obama was first elected. Massive borrowing, a huge public sector and a debt which runs in the trillions. As for the intolerance of Islam, you have obviously never heard of Dearborn and similar places where Islam is on the rise. And what about CAIR?
I agree that Socialism is becoming more of a problem in America of late. Dearborn is also a cause of concern (as is the greater Detroit area generally). But one has to look at the economic data coming out of America to get the bigger picture. Even under the Socialist Obama regime the American recovery is way ahead of Europe and Britain. In fact, the US economy has boomed of late in many sectors. This is because the Americans place the proper emphasis on business, individual freedom (unlike here in CCTV Britain), and are more optimistic.
As for CAIR, it’s inevitable that such groups are formed. But they’ll never achieve the same level of penetration into the American political elite at Muslims have into ours.
Just to clarify, there are many things Britain does better than America. Perhaps I’ll write about them next week for balance. On the whole though, America is a far more successful country, not just than Britain, but than any in the world.
you are one smart fella’ blogman…
always enjoy reading what’s here on the menu..
You’re very kind Bob. Thank you.
1. You say elsewhere on your site that you find Europe boring, yet you love America’s straight roads? I guess you’re right about it being a matter of personal taste; I’ve always disliked long straight paths, and find the winding paths of European cities that’ve grown over centuries to be far more interesting. It adds character to the city. I think that if tourists don’t get lost visiting your town, you’re doing something wrong.
4. I disagree most fervently with you on this point. The Military-Industrial Complex has given rise to more corruption and is ultimately harmful to freedom; the most recent examples of this can be found in ex-Halliburton CEO/U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as the mercenary group Blackwater. Your statement that people living in democratic countries can rest easy due to this is particularly ironic, given the history of America in particular of overthrowing democracies and installing dictators in their place.
Additionally, don’t be so enthusiastic about #3. Although Islamophobia is easily more tolerated than any other form of discrimination, people also often catch a lot of flack for it. #2 is also a tad off; although many politicians here rail against socialism in speech, almost all of them from both parties unrepentantly practice it, differing only on who it should benefit.
I agree about Socialism creeping into American politics. My praise of America is admittedly of its ideal. The American dream, the ‘American Idea’, the “American way’ etc… These are concepts I admire. I’m sure America fails to live up to them frequently.
And America overthrowing democracies should always be put into context. If you mean the overthrow of Communist regimes in Latin America and the replacement of those regimes with ones more friendly to liberal capitalism, then I wouldn’t class that as evil. Democracy is a fine idea, but in reality it can harm freedom as much as it can help it.
This is also true in the Middle East where America has been right to prop up authoritarian but secular regimes like that formerly in charge of Egypt. Democracy can abolish freedom if a majority of the population inclines away from it.
“Always disliked long straight paths”? Really? Go to New England. There are NO straight roads unless you include the Mass. Pike. Also the worst drivers in the U.S.. I guess you can’t please everyone.
A great piece of satire. I enjoyed it!
teabagger ignorance on display!