What do you think?
Rate this book
The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream
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.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
49 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Rifkin
111 books532 followersAmerican economic and social theorist, writer, public speaker, political advisor, and activist.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 18, 2017
Statistical facts in the book are dated already. However, the explanation of philosphical differences in the ways thinking between Americans and Europeans is still accurate, as far as my own understanding of these issues goes.
October 2, 2016
I had very mixed feelings about this book when I read it. First, the truly positive ideas had to do with the nature of a society that is advancing out of a Capitalist regime. In particular, he seems to appreciate as few authors do, that the massive increase in production has led to a situation in which a lot of the behavioral effects of the “American Dream” may not make sense.
In this regard, he does have a point with respect to the monetary side of the “American Dream” and the manner in which this differs from a European connotation of success which embodies a more quality of life perspective. He provides lots of great examples for how these differences play out, distribution of wealth, work hours, etc. He also provides an interesting set of inferences on how such came to be (i.e. the role of the gentry, a very different approach to the development of civic duty, etc…)
However, I have to give this an average marking of 3 because of the manner in which he approached the argument, namely, by attempting to frame the argument as a US v. Europe issue. In doing so, a lot of the comparisons in the first ½ of the book are poorly substantiated to anecdotal at best. There is clearly a poor statistical treatment as his primary idea for the differences between the two nations is cultural. In doing so, he appears to ignore – or at the very least does not make mention that he accounted for, a number of fairly significant factors. For example, in his argument about the greater emphasis in Europe on “networks” he uses the example of greater cell phone build out vs. the US. However, the density of population per square mile in Europe far exceeds that of US which is primarily rural between the coasts. The US population at 200mm would need to be nearly 3x greater, which plays a huge implication on the profitability of build out. Hence, it could equally be the case that the Europe built out its network first, not because it is more network oriented, but because the ROC was higher.
Another example used is higher levels of education, in which he uses % of GDP as the metric for the entire nation. Clearly the fairly homogenous countries of Europe are going to differ in needs relative to a more diverse US. Moreover, the density issues plays a role in the distribution of the GDP over the total population. He even notes that Europe is not homogenous, with very little immigration. Yet he fails to see how that might massively distort the ability to provide certain types of public services.
It is unfortunate that the book was chosen to be framed in this manner as the conclusions he draws are quite elegant. He could have made the book less a comparison of the US v. Europe (which in his made requires that Europe be a leader to US). Instead, I would have preferred a book about an interesting phenomenon that he has noticed in Europe that would be interesting to implement in the US.
In this regard, he does have a point with respect to the monetary side of the “American Dream” and the manner in which this differs from a European connotation of success which embodies a more quality of life perspective. He provides lots of great examples for how these differences play out, distribution of wealth, work hours, etc. He also provides an interesting set of inferences on how such came to be (i.e. the role of the gentry, a very different approach to the development of civic duty, etc…)
However, I have to give this an average marking of 3 because of the manner in which he approached the argument, namely, by attempting to frame the argument as a US v. Europe issue. In doing so, a lot of the comparisons in the first ½ of the book are poorly substantiated to anecdotal at best. There is clearly a poor statistical treatment as his primary idea for the differences between the two nations is cultural. In doing so, he appears to ignore – or at the very least does not make mention that he accounted for, a number of fairly significant factors. For example, in his argument about the greater emphasis in Europe on “networks” he uses the example of greater cell phone build out vs. the US. However, the density of population per square mile in Europe far exceeds that of US which is primarily rural between the coasts. The US population at 200mm would need to be nearly 3x greater, which plays a huge implication on the profitability of build out. Hence, it could equally be the case that the Europe built out its network first, not because it is more network oriented, but because the ROC was higher.
Another example used is higher levels of education, in which he uses % of GDP as the metric for the entire nation. Clearly the fairly homogenous countries of Europe are going to differ in needs relative to a more diverse US. Moreover, the density issues plays a role in the distribution of the GDP over the total population. He even notes that Europe is not homogenous, with very little immigration. Yet he fails to see how that might massively distort the ability to provide certain types of public services.
It is unfortunate that the book was chosen to be framed in this manner as the conclusions he draws are quite elegant. He could have made the book less a comparison of the US v. Europe (which in his made requires that Europe be a leader to US). Instead, I would have preferred a book about an interesting phenomenon that he has noticed in Europe that would be interesting to implement in the US.
July 19, 2017
Book has not aged well!
January 13, 2013
What makes us (that is the U.S.) different from Europeans? There are some profound observations to be uncovered here.
Now a rather dated book, I completed the first few chapters for the sake of examining the immediate historical survey to our current circumstances and skimmed the rest. Then I took some notes and passed it along.
The following are not my notes but quoted passages from the book that I found to be of the most interest:
...
The American Dream…an emphasis on economic growth, personal wealth, and independence.
...
The European Dream…sustainable development, quality of life, and interdependence…. The American Dream is inseparable from the country's religious heritage and deep spiritual faith. The European Dream is secular to the core.
...
The American Dream is far too centered on personal material advancement and too little concerned with the broader human welfare to be relevant in a world of increasing risk, diversity, and interdependence. It is an old dream, immersed in a frontier mentality, that has long since become passé.
...
The European Dream emphasizes community relationships over individual autonomy, cultural diversity over assimilation, quality of life over the accumulation of wealth, sustainable development over unlimited material growth, deep play over unrelenting toil, universal human rights and the rights of nature over property rights, and global cooperation over the unilateral exercise of power.
...
Over half of all Americans are devoutly religious—more so than any other industrialized people—and they just don't buy the idea of a relativist world.
...
Europeans… have been much more eager to critique the basic assumptions of modernity…. (it) has much to do with the devastation wrought by two world wars and the specter of a continent lying in near ruins in 1945 as a result of blind adherence to utopian visions and ideologies.
...
The European vision… is personal transformation rather than individual material accumulation…focused not on amassing wealth but, rather, on elevating the human spirit…seeks to expand human empathy, not territory.
...
Americans…to be autonomous, one needs to be propertied. The more wealth…the more independent one is…. With wealth comes exclusivity…with exclusivity…security.
...
For Europeans…freedom is in embeddedness…access to a myriad of interdependent relationships with others…. The more…access…the more options and choices…for living a full and meaningful life. With relationships comes inclusivity…with inclusivity comes security.
...
To be a great country, it is necessary to be a good country.
...
The American Dream…was meant to be exclusive to America…. One can only pursue the American Dream on American soil…. Americans…see themselves as a chosen people (and makes us such eternal optimists) and America as the promised land…destined for greatness (makes us willing to take more risks…and fated to succeed) and…the American way (as) God's way…. Most Europeans find this…odd, even a little scary.
...
Sixty-eight percent of the (American) public believe in the devil…. More that one-third of all Americans are biblical literalists…. 40 percent…believe that the world will end with an Armageddon battle between Jesus and the Antichrist…. 82 percent…believe in Heaven…. Even in Catholic Italy and Poland, only a third of the public say that religion is very important to them. In Germany…21 percent…Great Britain…16 percent…France…14 percent…Korea…25 percent…Japan…12 percent…. Across Western Europe nearly half the population almost never goes to church.
...
Europeans view with alarm America's patriotic fervor and feeling of national pride, and especially America's sense of cultural superiority…. Europeans wonder if America is lost in the past…so passionately committed to the conventional nation-state political model….
...
No government before…had ever suggested that people might have a right to pursue their own happiness.
...
Christopher Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism":
…the consumer ethos…gained such a deep hold on the American psyche that…the young are drowning in momentary pleasures and trivial pursuits. (see also Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death")
...
The desire for instant success has become pervasive across American culture.
...
For millions of American viewers, seeing someone just like themselves on TV becoming famous, even for an instant, keeps alive the idea that it could happen to them as well…vicariously by watching the fortunate few who beat the odds, convinced that the dream is still alive and that their turn is coming…not the American dream but the American daydream.
...
By…early adulthood, they have been everywhere, done everything, seen everything, and had everything. They have little or nothing to look forward to or to aspire to. Their dreams have been answered even before they had a chance to dream them…the most difficult life task is motivation itself…only momentary pleasures are left to ward off the boredom and make it through another day.
...
(W)e have overpowered our kids, giving them an inflated sense of ego and, with it, a belief that they are entitled to success because of their many special attributes…. If you are always being told that everything you do is insightful, well conceived and thought out, and effectively executed, then why try harder? …(T)he American Dream is no longer thought of as a quest but is regarded more as a right.
...
(Nearly one-third of) Americans…thought a little violence was okay…. Nearly one out of four (believes) that using violence to get what they want is acceptable.
...
We have always prided ourselves on being a nation of civic-minded volunteers…. (Yet) the American character has hardened, and…time and money pressures and pursuit of personal pleasure has made us even less willing to look out for the social well-being of or neighbors.
...
(A) third of all Americans no longer think it is possible…to live the American Dream.
Now a rather dated book, I completed the first few chapters for the sake of examining the immediate historical survey to our current circumstances and skimmed the rest. Then I took some notes and passed it along.
The following are not my notes but quoted passages from the book that I found to be of the most interest:
...
The American Dream…an emphasis on economic growth, personal wealth, and independence.
...
The European Dream…sustainable development, quality of life, and interdependence…. The American Dream is inseparable from the country's religious heritage and deep spiritual faith. The European Dream is secular to the core.
...
The American Dream is far too centered on personal material advancement and too little concerned with the broader human welfare to be relevant in a world of increasing risk, diversity, and interdependence. It is an old dream, immersed in a frontier mentality, that has long since become passé.
...
The European Dream emphasizes community relationships over individual autonomy, cultural diversity over assimilation, quality of life over the accumulation of wealth, sustainable development over unlimited material growth, deep play over unrelenting toil, universal human rights and the rights of nature over property rights, and global cooperation over the unilateral exercise of power.
...
Over half of all Americans are devoutly religious—more so than any other industrialized people—and they just don't buy the idea of a relativist world.
...
Europeans… have been much more eager to critique the basic assumptions of modernity…. (it) has much to do with the devastation wrought by two world wars and the specter of a continent lying in near ruins in 1945 as a result of blind adherence to utopian visions and ideologies.
...
The European vision… is personal transformation rather than individual material accumulation…focused not on amassing wealth but, rather, on elevating the human spirit…seeks to expand human empathy, not territory.
...
Americans…to be autonomous, one needs to be propertied. The more wealth…the more independent one is…. With wealth comes exclusivity…with exclusivity…security.
...
For Europeans…freedom is in embeddedness…access to a myriad of interdependent relationships with others…. The more…access…the more options and choices…for living a full and meaningful life. With relationships comes inclusivity…with inclusivity comes security.
...
To be a great country, it is necessary to be a good country.
...
The American Dream…was meant to be exclusive to America…. One can only pursue the American Dream on American soil…. Americans…see themselves as a chosen people (and makes us such eternal optimists) and America as the promised land…destined for greatness (makes us willing to take more risks…and fated to succeed) and…the American way (as) God's way…. Most Europeans find this…odd, even a little scary.
...
Sixty-eight percent of the (American) public believe in the devil…. More that one-third of all Americans are biblical literalists…. 40 percent…believe that the world will end with an Armageddon battle between Jesus and the Antichrist…. 82 percent…believe in Heaven…. Even in Catholic Italy and Poland, only a third of the public say that religion is very important to them. In Germany…21 percent…Great Britain…16 percent…France…14 percent…Korea…25 percent…Japan…12 percent…. Across Western Europe nearly half the population almost never goes to church.
...
Europeans view with alarm America's patriotic fervor and feeling of national pride, and especially America's sense of cultural superiority…. Europeans wonder if America is lost in the past…so passionately committed to the conventional nation-state political model….
...
No government before…had ever suggested that people might have a right to pursue their own happiness.
...
Christopher Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism":
…the consumer ethos…gained such a deep hold on the American psyche that…the young are drowning in momentary pleasures and trivial pursuits. (see also Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death")
...
The desire for instant success has become pervasive across American culture.
...
For millions of American viewers, seeing someone just like themselves on TV becoming famous, even for an instant, keeps alive the idea that it could happen to them as well…vicariously by watching the fortunate few who beat the odds, convinced that the dream is still alive and that their turn is coming…not the American dream but the American daydream.
...
By…early adulthood, they have been everywhere, done everything, seen everything, and had everything. They have little or nothing to look forward to or to aspire to. Their dreams have been answered even before they had a chance to dream them…the most difficult life task is motivation itself…only momentary pleasures are left to ward off the boredom and make it through another day.
...
(W)e have overpowered our kids, giving them an inflated sense of ego and, with it, a belief that they are entitled to success because of their many special attributes…. If you are always being told that everything you do is insightful, well conceived and thought out, and effectively executed, then why try harder? …(T)he American Dream is no longer thought of as a quest but is regarded more as a right.
...
(Nearly one-third of) Americans…thought a little violence was okay…. Nearly one out of four (believes) that using violence to get what they want is acceptable.
...
We have always prided ourselves on being a nation of civic-minded volunteers…. (Yet) the American character has hardened, and…time and money pressures and pursuit of personal pleasure has made us even less willing to look out for the social well-being of or neighbors.
...
(A) third of all Americans no longer think it is possible…to live the American Dream.
June 30, 2024
Finito in questi giorni. Devo ammettere che vivendoci nell’unione europea non ho mai pensato che il sogno di un’Europa unita potesse essere più attrattivo del segno statunitense: non dico americano perché mi ostino a non considerare gli usa tutto il continente americano.
L’autore è piuttosto discorsivo e usa i numeri in modo utile per completare il concetto e non travolgere il lettore.
L’autore è piuttosto discorsivo e usa i numeri in modo utile per completare il concetto e non travolgere il lettore.
July 2, 2021
Another book that has fundamentally changed the way I move through the world. Written in 2005, the author’s analysis and predictions remain spot on. They underscore the greater lessons to be learned from both the American and European way of life. Absolutely fascinating and worthwhile read for anyone working in international affairs.
January 1, 2010
While Europe is generally underreported in today's media, the notion that it will become a superpower and eclipse the United States is one that ignores the economic and demographic realities of the continent.
On the demographic front, most European populations have a birthrate worse than the PRC under its One Child Policy. This year, there are more people aged 55-64 than 15-24. In 1900 Europe contained 25% of the world's people, by 2050 it will comprise less than 7%. Worse, to make up for the loss, European states are importing culturally incompatible Muslims to make up for the lack of willingness to reproduce. All of this bodes ill for the future of Europe.
On the economic front, the business climate of Europe is much less favorable as a whole than the United States. Growth rates and unemployment have been mostly worse in Europe for the past few decades, partially as a result of their more socialistic policies.
History has shown that factors such as these do not produce superpowers. Rather than rising to challenge the United States, Europe is rapidly racing towards it grave. In the past it held the greatest of empires; these have been crumbling ever since they peaked.
On the demographic front, most European populations have a birthrate worse than the PRC under its One Child Policy. This year, there are more people aged 55-64 than 15-24. In 1900 Europe contained 25% of the world's people, by 2050 it will comprise less than 7%. Worse, to make up for the loss, European states are importing culturally incompatible Muslims to make up for the lack of willingness to reproduce. All of this bodes ill for the future of Europe.
On the economic front, the business climate of Europe is much less favorable as a whole than the United States. Growth rates and unemployment have been mostly worse in Europe for the past few decades, partially as a result of their more socialistic policies.
History has shown that factors such as these do not produce superpowers. Rather than rising to challenge the United States, Europe is rapidly racing towards it grave. In the past it held the greatest of empires; these have been crumbling ever since they peaked.
February 14, 2017
Jeremy Rifkin starts from the brief history about how EU was created, and them compares all social and political aspects of life in America and Europe. He formulates the basic European Dream, which is all about inclusivity, high quality of life, human rights and sustainable environment development.
This book will be interesting to read for anyone, regardless where you live. It will give you the better understanding of how Europe works, and what ideas of Europe you'll see standing on the passport control entering the EU.
This is the first book about political science that I've read. Now I'm excited to read more about it.
This book will be interesting to read for anyone, regardless where you live. It will give you the better understanding of how Europe works, and what ideas of Europe you'll see standing on the passport control entering the EU.
This is the first book about political science that I've read. Now I'm excited to read more about it.
May 1, 2007
I liked this book, although I do think he exaggerates a lot of the great things about Europe. The events in France recently have shown that there are some serious problems with the European model, as have the economic problems facing the Scandinavian model. It is worth a read though. Where he is right on is that the European pace of life is generally much more conducive to being human/living, than the American model.
August 4, 2014
Don't totally agree with Rifkins premises but it's a good primer to begin thought about a different "world order"
May 27, 2014
IM DONE.
And it was actually interesting. But reading late schoolwork on a bus is never fun.
And it was actually interesting. But reading late schoolwork on a bus is never fun.
August 23, 2011
If you Europe is so much better than the US, why does author still live here?
September 20, 2021
I enjoyed this book as it made me think through some of my beliefs I have collected over the years, especially those I have evolved through. At the core of this text is this notion of individual property versus community property and nation states versus an international body. As we progress into the future, do we sacrifice owning our own homes or owning or hailing individual means of transport for the greater good of humanity? Do we only live and move around communally?
I personally love traveling by light rail and train but am concerned of being pushed toward a future where this would be my only choice. Of course, I am arguing extremes here but I believe it is important to fight for individualism albeit without sacrificing community. This is what this book does well though by contrasting the American dream with the European dream. It makes one think of the role of self and community and where the road we are all on could lead when one dominates over the other.
A bit of a harsh reality, especially through the lens of communication technologies which have advanced considerably since the writing of this book in 2004, looming heavily over the dream of societal progress regardless of location. Technologies promising a better connection but rapidly devolving to focus more on controlling the dream rather than exploring it. I felt this quote at the end of the book summed it up nicely.
"6 billion individual connections absent any overall unifying purpose seems a colossal waste of human energy."
We can dream all we want, but at the end of the day, if we don't have control over it, we will be led by it. And the fewer people controlling "it", the less opportunities for the rest of us, no matter where we live.
I personally love traveling by light rail and train but am concerned of being pushed toward a future where this would be my only choice. Of course, I am arguing extremes here but I believe it is important to fight for individualism albeit without sacrificing community. This is what this book does well though by contrasting the American dream with the European dream. It makes one think of the role of self and community and where the road we are all on could lead when one dominates over the other.
A bit of a harsh reality, especially through the lens of communication technologies which have advanced considerably since the writing of this book in 2004, looming heavily over the dream of societal progress regardless of location. Technologies promising a better connection but rapidly devolving to focus more on controlling the dream rather than exploring it. I felt this quote at the end of the book summed it up nicely.
"6 billion individual connections absent any overall unifying purpose seems a colossal waste of human energy."
We can dream all we want, but at the end of the day, if we don't have control over it, we will be led by it. And the fewer people controlling "it", the less opportunities for the rest of us, no matter where we live.
January 29, 2023
This is a less than mediocre book (to put it mildly) that is written in the style of a college freshmen cherry-picking subjective sources that only seem to support the author’s thesis that the “European dream” is currently replacing the “American dream.”
The author correctly points out that the EU has stronger “humanistic” attributes as a supra-national institution such as being pro-environment, and upholding the principles of peace and human rights, compared to the US, its increasingly intolerant, introvert and belligerent counterpart over the pond that seems to attract the world’s ire as a result. Rifkin fails to recognize, however, that this is more of an outcome of divergent post-World War II policies that the US and the EU followed, rather than being based on genuinely naïve intent.
Rifkin also oversimplifies the intra-politics of the EU, presenting it as an already matured “harmony” among its 27 member states, and downplaying the significant disagreements among some of the members as “small quarrels,” –a gullible assertion at best given the persisting differences in perspective regarding anything from migration to common energy policy to forming a common army.
While I agreed with most of his observations regarding the US, and learnt a thing or two, I found his style to be too “Europhile,” (hence, one-sided), journalistic, and superficial.
The author correctly points out that the EU has stronger “humanistic” attributes as a supra-national institution such as being pro-environment, and upholding the principles of peace and human rights, compared to the US, its increasingly intolerant, introvert and belligerent counterpart over the pond that seems to attract the world’s ire as a result. Rifkin fails to recognize, however, that this is more of an outcome of divergent post-World War II policies that the US and the EU followed, rather than being based on genuinely naïve intent.
Rifkin also oversimplifies the intra-politics of the EU, presenting it as an already matured “harmony” among its 27 member states, and downplaying the significant disagreements among some of the members as “small quarrels,” –a gullible assertion at best given the persisting differences in perspective regarding anything from migration to common energy policy to forming a common army.
While I agreed with most of his observations regarding the US, and learnt a thing or two, I found his style to be too “Europhile,” (hence, one-sided), journalistic, and superficial.
January 31, 2024
That was a funny book, really funny to read it now. The author does put up interesting information. Though he writes as an idealist and also as a propagandist. In half of the book, he explains why the Europeans are doing great and are taking the best solutions to solve the problems of the world, then on the last part of the book he advocates for total immigration because the "European dream" is making people have way fewer children, so they need now to have a massive Islamisation that will complete annihilating the totally the European dream, I am not making this up, this person is completely blind and he keeps pushing this self-defeating ideas, and has no understanding of what Sharia really means and that the Europeans have to put up with it.
November 11, 2020
Loved this lecture! The way of writing makes it really easy to go through. I feel like most readers don't take into account the date of the book; considering how old it is, I think it's quite contemporary for the conclusions to undertake into the daily life!
Presents very well the core values based on which the communities are based of, regardless how applicable and strong they are in the current years.
Recommend!
Presents very well the core values based on which the communities are based of, regardless how applicable and strong they are in the current years.
Recommend!
November 19, 2024
3.5 stars
I got my hands on this book because I often found myself and other Americans repeatedly asking the same question: "how come Europe gets to have that and we can't?"
From common sense environmental protection, to low healthcare and education costs, it can feel as though the US is becoming a third world country in the face of the European Union. Now considered a global superpower, Rifkin correctly predicted its rise as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage; a necessary development which the European powers of old understood after the Second World War.
As other reviewers of The European Dream have clearly stated, the book is severely outdated. I was eager to find some sort of online article written by Rifkin since 2004, which may act as an addendum to the book, but I've been unsuccessful in this search (it seems Rifkin has only published more books to further develop his ideas of a 21st century world governed by European visions). The European Dream is unfortunately mired by the post-9/11 tension that underscored international relations at the dawn of the century. It's clear that this blinded Rifkin to the ephemerality of the US's liberal instability; he seemed to think that the Bush administration was the tonal trajectory of the US for the coming decades. This failure to predict Barack Obama's profound cooperation with the EU and the influence of emerging tech as a key determinant of political strategy stunted Rifkin's views of the US. Furthermore, and perhaps his biggest predictive failure, he didn't foresee the eurozone crisis in the mid-2010s and subsequent economic reforms that the EU had to undertake to compensate for it.
In a similar vein, this book is loaded with the good-old turn of the century optimism that many at the time predicted would raise humanity out of the pitfalls of the 1900s. Appeals to the growing use of the internet and its ability to connect humanity are instrumental to Rifkin's case. Unfortunately, this hasn't turned out to be entirely true, and in fact the internet has arguably led us to political and social instability more than anything.
When looking through the table of contents, I was excited to read the twelfth chapter, titled "The Immigrant Dilemma". I imagined it would be a sobering conversation about the unfortunate reality of xenophobia throughout the EU, and how this hatred weighs down the idealistic aims of the Union. He hints toward this dilemma throughout the book, and it made me all the more excited to read his analysis. I could not have been more disappointed in what Rifkin had to say about immigrants in Europe. In my mind, his anti-immigrant rhetoric, such as calling them "threatening to the native-born population" and claiming they are "flooding" into Europe, was an affront to the basic principles of the EU which he constantly praises throughout the book. His eagerness to discuss concerns over Muslim radicalization at length while only paying lip-service to the contemporary growing threat of far-right nationalist groups demonstrates his islamophobia. While not as big of a problem in 2004 as it is today, he doesn't even appear to mention the word "refugee" at all throughout the chapter. What's more, the legacy of colonialism is not discussed whatsoever in the book, which is understood by many social scientists to be a primary cause of immigration from developing states into the EU.
What bothered me most about this book were not the failed predictions, nor the gross mischaracterization of immigrants. Rifkin couldn't have known certain developments and shifts would happen globally after the writing of The European Dream. What bothered me most was the unscientific armchair history that Rifkin employs in the middle of the book—a valley of dull conjecture amidst the mountains of introduction and modern-day analysis. I had to skip chapters six and seven because they felt so boring and pointless to the aims of the book. Rifkin hardly even cites sources in the book's second part. He simply tells his suitable version of medieval history and calls it a day. This is inexcusable, especially for an academic like Rifkin. This part of the book felt bloated and unnecessary, perhaps even counter-productive to the overall thesis.
I don't think The European Dream is all bad, though. Rifkin makes some astute and correct predictions in this book, like the rises of both China and the EU as global superpowers (he is wrong, however, in his assertion that the EU will rival the US rather than ally with it). The strength of the Euro is something Rifkin bets heavily on, and he turned out to be correct. He also correctly asserts that the EU will become the global model for interstate unity in the coming decades; in the last ten years we've seen international cooperation on a level never before seen, especially among developing countries. Ultimately, I enjoyed and appreciated Rifkin's analysis of the European Union.
The European Dream is borne from a great idea, but has serious issues. I think 3/5 stars is generous considering this book's shortcomings. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you skip around and read chapters popcorn-style, rather than sitting down and tackling it cover-to-cover. This book could've been a series of 3-5 articles in, say, Foreign Affairs Magazine.
I got my hands on this book because I often found myself and other Americans repeatedly asking the same question: "how come Europe gets to have that and we can't?"
From common sense environmental protection, to low healthcare and education costs, it can feel as though the US is becoming a third world country in the face of the European Union. Now considered a global superpower, Rifkin correctly predicted its rise as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage; a necessary development which the European powers of old understood after the Second World War.
As other reviewers of The European Dream have clearly stated, the book is severely outdated. I was eager to find some sort of online article written by Rifkin since 2004, which may act as an addendum to the book, but I've been unsuccessful in this search (it seems Rifkin has only published more books to further develop his ideas of a 21st century world governed by European visions). The European Dream is unfortunately mired by the post-9/11 tension that underscored international relations at the dawn of the century. It's clear that this blinded Rifkin to the ephemerality of the US's liberal instability; he seemed to think that the Bush administration was the tonal trajectory of the US for the coming decades. This failure to predict Barack Obama's profound cooperation with the EU and the influence of emerging tech as a key determinant of political strategy stunted Rifkin's views of the US. Furthermore, and perhaps his biggest predictive failure, he didn't foresee the eurozone crisis in the mid-2010s and subsequent economic reforms that the EU had to undertake to compensate for it.
In a similar vein, this book is loaded with the good-old turn of the century optimism that many at the time predicted would raise humanity out of the pitfalls of the 1900s. Appeals to the growing use of the internet and its ability to connect humanity are instrumental to Rifkin's case. Unfortunately, this hasn't turned out to be entirely true, and in fact the internet has arguably led us to political and social instability more than anything.
When looking through the table of contents, I was excited to read the twelfth chapter, titled "The Immigrant Dilemma". I imagined it would be a sobering conversation about the unfortunate reality of xenophobia throughout the EU, and how this hatred weighs down the idealistic aims of the Union. He hints toward this dilemma throughout the book, and it made me all the more excited to read his analysis. I could not have been more disappointed in what Rifkin had to say about immigrants in Europe. In my mind, his anti-immigrant rhetoric, such as calling them "threatening to the native-born population" and claiming they are "flooding" into Europe, was an affront to the basic principles of the EU which he constantly praises throughout the book. His eagerness to discuss concerns over Muslim radicalization at length while only paying lip-service to the contemporary growing threat of far-right nationalist groups demonstrates his islamophobia. While not as big of a problem in 2004 as it is today, he doesn't even appear to mention the word "refugee" at all throughout the chapter. What's more, the legacy of colonialism is not discussed whatsoever in the book, which is understood by many social scientists to be a primary cause of immigration from developing states into the EU.
What bothered me most about this book were not the failed predictions, nor the gross mischaracterization of immigrants. Rifkin couldn't have known certain developments and shifts would happen globally after the writing of The European Dream. What bothered me most was the unscientific armchair history that Rifkin employs in the middle of the book—a valley of dull conjecture amidst the mountains of introduction and modern-day analysis. I had to skip chapters six and seven because they felt so boring and pointless to the aims of the book. Rifkin hardly even cites sources in the book's second part. He simply tells his suitable version of medieval history and calls it a day. This is inexcusable, especially for an academic like Rifkin. This part of the book felt bloated and unnecessary, perhaps even counter-productive to the overall thesis.
I don't think The European Dream is all bad, though. Rifkin makes some astute and correct predictions in this book, like the rises of both China and the EU as global superpowers (he is wrong, however, in his assertion that the EU will rival the US rather than ally with it). The strength of the Euro is something Rifkin bets heavily on, and he turned out to be correct. He also correctly asserts that the EU will become the global model for interstate unity in the coming decades; in the last ten years we've seen international cooperation on a level never before seen, especially among developing countries. Ultimately, I enjoyed and appreciated Rifkin's analysis of the European Union.
The European Dream is borne from a great idea, but has serious issues. I think 3/5 stars is generous considering this book's shortcomings. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you skip around and read chapters popcorn-style, rather than sitting down and tackling it cover-to-cover. This book could've been a series of 3-5 articles in, say, Foreign Affairs Magazine.
July 17, 2019
Too much about America.
January 12, 2022
I've read 4 chapters and pretty much all of them felt like an eloquent scholar is trying to fit in as much water into his work as he can. Very vague, generic and biased read if you ask me.
April 23, 2023
"The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream" by Jeremy Rifkin is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges conventional notions of the American Dream and presents an alternative vision for the future of Europe. Rifkin presents a compelling argument that Europe's social, economic, and environmental policies are surpassing those of the United States, and that Europe is leading the way in building a more sustainable and equitable society.
One of the strengths of this book is Rifkin's extensive research and analysis. He provides a comprehensive overview of the historical, cultural, and political factors that have shaped Europe's vision for the future, and he presents a detailed comparison between Europe and the United States in various aspects such as healthcare, education, labor policies, environmental protection, and social welfare. Rifkin backs up his arguments with data and examples, making a compelling case for his thesis.
Rifkin's writing is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts and ideas understandable to a wide range of readers. He presents his arguments in a logical and persuasive manner, drawing on evidence and real-life examples to support his claims. Rifkin also explores the historical roots of the American Dream and how it has evolved over time, providing readers with a fresh perspective on this iconic concept.
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is Rifkin's vision for Europe's future. He argues that Europe's emphasis on social welfare, sustainability, and cooperation among nations is creating a more humane and inclusive society, and that this vision could serve as a model for the rest of the world. Rifkin also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Europe, including issues such as globalization, immigration, and the rise of nationalism, providing a nuanced and balanced perspective on the complex realities of European politics and society.
However, some readers may find Rifkin's arguments controversial or even provocative, as they challenge conventional notions of the American Dream and question the dominant role of the United States in shaping the global narrative of progress and prosperity. Rifkin's vision for Europe's future may also be seen as idealistic or overly optimistic by some, as it presents a utopian vision that may be difficult to achieve in practice.
In conclusion, "The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream" is a compelling and thought-provoking book that challenges traditional notions of the American Dream and presents an alternative vision for the future of Europe. Rifkin's well-researched arguments and optimistic vision for Europe's future make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing our world today. However, readers should approach this book with an open mind and critical thinking, as it presents controversial ideas that may challenge conventional beliefs.
One of the strengths of this book is Rifkin's extensive research and analysis. He provides a comprehensive overview of the historical, cultural, and political factors that have shaped Europe's vision for the future, and he presents a detailed comparison between Europe and the United States in various aspects such as healthcare, education, labor policies, environmental protection, and social welfare. Rifkin backs up his arguments with data and examples, making a compelling case for his thesis.
Rifkin's writing is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts and ideas understandable to a wide range of readers. He presents his arguments in a logical and persuasive manner, drawing on evidence and real-life examples to support his claims. Rifkin also explores the historical roots of the American Dream and how it has evolved over time, providing readers with a fresh perspective on this iconic concept.
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is Rifkin's vision for Europe's future. He argues that Europe's emphasis on social welfare, sustainability, and cooperation among nations is creating a more humane and inclusive society, and that this vision could serve as a model for the rest of the world. Rifkin also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Europe, including issues such as globalization, immigration, and the rise of nationalism, providing a nuanced and balanced perspective on the complex realities of European politics and society.
However, some readers may find Rifkin's arguments controversial or even provocative, as they challenge conventional notions of the American Dream and question the dominant role of the United States in shaping the global narrative of progress and prosperity. Rifkin's vision for Europe's future may also be seen as idealistic or overly optimistic by some, as it presents a utopian vision that may be difficult to achieve in practice.
In conclusion, "The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream" is a compelling and thought-provoking book that challenges traditional notions of the American Dream and presents an alternative vision for the future of Europe. Rifkin's well-researched arguments and optimistic vision for Europe's future make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing our world today. However, readers should approach this book with an open mind and critical thinking, as it presents controversial ideas that may challenge conventional beliefs.
May 29, 2009
In 'The European Dream' Rifkin argues that the European approach to governance is better suited to an increasing interconnected world and a higher overall standard of living than the American approach of self sufficiency and individualism. He presents as evidence for this conclusion: GDP, poverty rates, education levels, life expectancy, health care, environmental stewardship and a host of other factors which indicate that the US may be a nation in decline, while the European Union is in the ascendancy. Not one to overlook contrary evidence, Rifkin outlines growing problems in Europe which could derail future progress.
While very much a story still being written 'The European Dream' provides an interesting assessment of the political landscape and possible future directions for the western world.
While very much a story still being written 'The European Dream' provides an interesting assessment of the political landscape and possible future directions for the western world.
August 14, 2011
We read this book for class while I was in Germany. It's loaded with information, so it's a dense read, but it's mind-blowing. If you love European culture, read this book. If you want further information into the impact the European Union has and will make, read this book. Rifkin takes a comparative look at the geographic and historical differences between the rise of America into a superpower as opposed to and similar to Europe. These differences are now benefitting Europe and it's course into the future and hindering the USA. Europe is rapidly grasping the advantages of thinking like a global sphere and networking through technology and business and we need to hop on the band wagon. If you are truly open-minded, read this book.
August 17, 2011
One of those books which you don't have read starting with Chapter 1 through to the end, but that you really enjoy doing so. Rifkin actually weaves an enthralling tale of European and American history that brings the reader along on a journey to the present day and provides a glimpse of the future. Rifkin expertly but clearly explains the development of the individual and privacy, the drive for business efficiency in America (I've mentioned these parts in a public management graduate course) and the institutions of the European Union. Very informative, but when it comes down to it...this was a fun read.
June 8, 2008
I loved it!!! If you'd like to learn more about the USA (and how it compares to Europe), and you like surprises, and lots of interesting stuff, this book is an absolute must. Actually, I think I'd recommend this book pretty much to anyone who cares about what happens in the society/economy they live in.
The book is totally engaging, and well researched and cited, which I love. And, best of all, I really feel like the author is giving a fair and balanced view. Great book!!!!
The book is totally engaging, and well researched and cited, which I love. And, best of all, I really feel like the author is giving a fair and balanced view. Great book!!!!
December 26, 2011
It's interesting reading this book from some perspective.
It's also worth checking the 2010's results of the Innovation Union Scoreboard:
"The EU is failing to close the innovation performance gap with its main international competitors: the US and Japan. Although the trends in most EU Member States are promising despite the economic crisis, progress is not fast enough."
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesA...
It's also worth checking the 2010's results of the Innovation Union Scoreboard:
"The EU is failing to close the innovation performance gap with its main international competitors: the US and Japan. Although the trends in most EU Member States are promising despite the economic crisis, progress is not fast enough."
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesA...
January 17, 2015
Very good introduction to the European Union framework. Written before the repeal of the European Constitution, the book focuses on highlighting differences between the "old" American Dream, and a "new" paradigm that Europe has put at the front of its political agenda. All in all, an amenable reading. Interested parties should also peek at the Wikipedia introductory book on EU affairs, to be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book:Eur...
September 18, 2007
This book is a marvelous analysis of the European Dream as contrasted to the American Dream. Rifkin argues that the American Dream has become obsolete and that the European Dream is the dream of the future. He also argues that the future of the United States rests on learning about and perhaps adopting elements of the European Dream for a new American Dream.
September 27, 2007
I highly reccomend this one to people interested in modern political trends. The author is a well known politician and University professor. The book is written in a "everyday" language so one will not get bored with political and economical "blah blah blah" after a few pages. It's a great, wise and interesting book for everybody!
Want to read
January 29, 2008I can't WAIT to read this, I bought it when reading a lot about the differences b/t European and American lifestyles such as America growing up with the automobile and the consequences that has had on the way our communities are structured and the 'live to work' ethic of Americans vs 'work to live' ethic of Europeans.
June 26, 2009
I feel like I live between two worlds - I'm grateful to be an American for the opportunities it has given me, but I agree a great deal with the European way of thinking and quite a few of their social goals. I align with some of the European ways of thinking regarding education, possessions, time. I enjoyed the history that this book provided and some of the philosophy behind it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews