There has been a small wave of "declinism" recently. The term "declinism" itself has enjoyed a surge of usage, though it is a somewhat dubious and unnecessary coinage. But what it refers to is a trend toward prognostications of America's imminent collapse, either economically or as a global military power, or both. I have been on record opposing this kind of pessimism, so I like to link to articles arguing for the underlying strength and vitality of American culture.
The one below deserves special mention for its answer to European objections that America is only richer than our cousins across the Atlantic because we work so many more hours. Working harder in order to make more money is apparently a concept that it alien to Western Europe.
This editorial points out that Americans are happier than Europeans, which means that we must be enjoying our work—a concept that is also, apparently, alien to Western Europe. We Americans are, as this article wonderfully puts it, "busy, rich, and happy."
"Still No. 1," Investor's Business Daily, September 5 It has become fashionable to assert that the United States is slipping from its position as the world's top economy. But a new report on productivity suggests the declinists' obits are premature.
[W]hen you look at what really matters—long-term wealth creation through gains in output per worker—it's clear the doubters are all wet. Indeed, the US still stands head and shoulders above the competition.
That's the conclusion of the U.N.'s International Labor Organization's latest report on the state of the world's labor. It found that the average U.S. worker in 2006 produced $63,885 in GDP in 2006. You have to drop nearly $8,000 to get to No. 2, Ireland, at $55,986 (see chart). That's a 12% gap between No. 1 and No. 2.
Moreover, the trend has accelerated in recent years. So instead of catching up, Europe and many other regions are falling further behind.
It is true that we in the US work more hours than they do in Europe….
A quick glance at other data suggests how meaningless it is to say Americans work too much. A recent study asked people in 35 countries how happy they were. Fifty-six percent of Americans said they were "completely happy" or "very happy" with their lives. No nation in Europe was even close to 50% in happiness.
In sum, the US is busy, rich and happy….
As for the declinists, they can keep searching for signs of US weakness. But based on every study we see, that job is about as unproductive as it gets.
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