The European Dream
How Europe's Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream
1. Auflage September 2004
400 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
At one time the American Dream was the ideal and envy of the world.
But today, at the dawn of the new Millennium, Europe is pointing a
new way to the future. In this major new book, best-selling author
Jeremy Rifkin argues that Europe has a vision of its own and is
overtaking America as the world's next superpower.
The American Dream was based on economic growth, personal
wealth and independence. It was synonymous with love of country and
patriotism, frontier mentality and the unbridled exercise of power.
Yet what were once considered prime virtues - cherished and
idealised not only in America but throughout the world - are
increasingly seen by many as drawbacks and even impediments. But
while the American Dream tires and languishes in the past, a new
European Dream is being born. Today we see a new set of values
emerging which are focused on sustainable development, quality of
life and multilateralism. More cosmopolitan and less concerned with
the brute exercise of power, the European Dream is better
positioned to accommodate the many forces that are propelling us
into a more interconnected and interdependent world.
Where does Britain fit into this story? The British find
themselves betwixt and between a fading American Dream and a newly
emerging European Dream which is gaining the upper hand in our
contemporary global age. Rifkin argues that Britain is uniquely
positioned to play a bridge role between Europe and America and has
the potential to help create a synergy between the two superpowers
of the 21st century. But in order to exercise any real influence in
world affairs, Britain must choose to be part of a larger political
entity. In a globally connected world, no people can exist any
longer as an island unto themselves. The only question for Britain
is whether it will make its home with America or with Europe.
Introduction.
New Lessons from the Old World.
1. The Slow Death of the American Dream.
2. The New Land of Opportunity.
3. The Quiet Economic Miracle.
The Making of the Modern Age.
4. Space, Time and Modernity.
5. Inventing the Ideology of Property.
6. Forging Capitalist Markets and Nation States.
The Coming Global Era.
7. Network Commence in a Globalized Economy.
8. The "United States" of Europe.
9. Government Without a Centre.
10. Romancing the Civil Society.
11. The Immigrant Dilemma.
12. Unity in Diversity.
13. Waging Peace.
14. A Second Enlightenment.
15. Universalizing the European Dream
of the Atlantic."
Andrew Moravcsik, Financial Times
"Jeremy Rifkin, whose European Dream compares the
economic and cultural boasts of the United States against the
statistical and European reality, is that rare phenomenon: a
management guru on the left of US politics, who eschews jargon,
questions assumptions and feels as comfortable in Europe as in the
US. Rifkin's argument is so compelling because it uses simple facts
and figures to challenge US claims of supremacy."
Mary Dejevsky, The Independent,
"Rifkin gives Europeans something to cheer us up and to which we
should urgently aspire. "
Chris Patten, The Guardian
Occasionally, in history, an outside observer is best able to
define the spirit of a people. In 1831, for example, the French
political philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville, visited a young
America and wrote about his experiences in a book entitled
Democracy in America. De Tocqueville helped Americans
understand the American Dream and its importance for the world.
Now, an American observer, Jeremy Rifkin, has written a book about
the new European Dream which captures the very essence of the great
experiment unfolding in Europe and its importance for a globalizing
society. Europeans are in the midst of a profound debate about our
vision of the future. Mr. Rifkin's book mirrors the European
soul, providing us a clear reflection of who we are, and what we
stand for and aspire to in the new Europe. The European
Dream is a thoughtful and inspiring work."
Romano Prodi, President of the European
Commission
Work, The Biotech Century, and The Age of Access, each
of which has been translated into more than fifteen languages.
Since 1994, Mr. Rifkin has been a fellow at the Wharton
School's Executive Education Program, where he lectures to
CEOs and senior corporate management from around the world on new
trends in science and technology and their impacts on the global
economy, society and the environment. He is also an advisor to
heads of state and government officials in a number of countries.
Mr. Rifkin's monthly column on global issues appears in many
of the world's leading newspapers and magazines, including
The Guardian in the United Kingdom.
He is president of the Foundation on Economic Trends in
Washington, D.C
