Europe’s Promise

Introduction

A variety of different perspectives can be gleaned based on the actual knowledge and directives acquired by the past experience of the individual providing the outlook on the actual topic discussed. In this case, the discussion has entailed Europe as a center of many of the world’s most incredible and paradigm-shifting realities, some of which might someday (perhaps soon) no longer be fully maintained. In that respect, much of the research reviewed for the purposes of this assignment has been focused on understanding the many ways in which Europe has been slowly degraded over time and that loss of social influence over the world could lead to many negative future outcomes. 

Furthermore, the dichotomy between the European way of life and that of the American way has been an interesting examination of the many variables, similarities, and differences between the two cultures. In many ways, the current cultural decline in Europe is akin to the decline in the West as a whole, especially within the framework of the United States and the ongoing influx of different cultures that have degraded each side of the Atlantic in many ways and possibly to the point of no return. In fact, it is quite possible that European culture as it has been known, recognized, and understood for many centuries has completely been disrupted and will never be seen again in the same form. It is this very idea that will be more fully examined over the course of this research. 

American and European Way

Fundamentally, there are differences between what might be considered the American way as opposed to one more European. The author recognizes the vast differences in culture in that America focuses on quickly obtained realities such as fast food, commercialism, and other platitudes needed for more fully realized cultural dynamics that have forced each of these social orders into diametrically opposed factions, especially in regards to their economies (Hill 19). Furthermore, European success in this vein has come about in drastically different fashions for the most part. Some others would agree with the author in this part, in that many feel that Europe’s mindset is more predicated on enjoying cultural realities that are older, more developed, and less built on quick and easy platforms (Hay). Thus, European’s are more patient, less pushy, and more attuned with their natural surroundings. In effect, they as opposed to Americans, are more likely to appreciate taking their time with nearly everything, including finances and other things they need in life. 

There are additional reasons as well. For instance, much research has gone on into understanding how European markets and their economy as a whole has accomplishment economic success without reliance on the bolstering due to the previously generated capitalism but rather a new form predicated on weal-creation and harnessed by institutions (Hill 71). In effect, this has all been achieved due to the lessened impact of competitive capitalism and one replaced with a different form more aligned with social capitalism. This is important to understand due to its potential to shape the way government institutions function within the framework of how common citizens are influenced by the economy as a whole. Oftentimes people vote with their pocketbooks and when times are tough they look for political change and this can be the difference between voting outcomes all over the world. 

Four Parts

The following segments will be the four primary considerations in regards to how this treatise on Europe will be structured, with each section being detailed by the course materials pertaining to each one. Therefore, each of the following sections has been included to better understand each of the primary topics the author Hill has spent time developing throughout his work, followed by counterpoints. 

Part One: Healthy Europe

“One of the ironies of Europe is that, while it is leading the world in high-tech transportation innovations, such as high-speed bullet trains and fuel-efficient autos, it also specializes in low-tech options.” (Hill 125). 

The context of this quote is quite simple in fact. Europeans have many different attitudes regarding their health, their food, how they spend their leisure time, and what their overall priorities are in life; most of which are underscored by attempts to make their total food supply organic and healthy in nature (Hill 129). Instead of the fast, quick, and overly produced food found in the United States and elsewhere, Europe prefers the traditional manner of bringing food to the table: slow but healthy and from the Earth itself, rather than through whatever quickly generated method that gets it in front of people too tired or busy to do it the right way. In that respect, the author is completely right. 

However, an alternative viewpoint would be that Europeans are lazy and less productive people in comparison to those living across the pond. For instance, in many ways Europe on the decline in regards to their population levels, which have in recent years seen a dramatic reduction overall in total numbers and future predictions in that respect. In fact, statistically speaking Europe’s current population replacement numbers (i.e. their overall birth rate in relation to those dying) is at a slumping 1.58 child per woman giving birth, which is below what they need to maintain their current population levels (“How can Europe reverse its demographic decline?”). Obviously, their focus on health is not doing them any favors in this regard due to the decrease in the overall population. Generation after generation if these numbers hold true it could prove disastrous for the continent. 

Part Two: Global Europe

“Europe’s power, which has been referred to as “soft” power (as a contrast to U.S. “hard” power) but which is better understood as “smart” power because of the way it seeks to build consensus among multiple players and interests, often has been unappreciated by Americans.” (Hill 199). 

This particular quote of Europe’s continued global influence has several connotations within the readings, as well as other sources discovered since. Since many European countries have less military might they must be smarter rather than more powerful in comparison and thus build relationships instead of brute force in that the future of most conflicts will actually be resolved through diplomacy, continued support from multiple players, as well as regional powers similar to the European Union (or EU as it is called) (Hill 200). In effect, the EU is structured to be an instrument of policy making and other considerations with the benefit all surrounding the region are in need of support. 

Some would argue this is simply not true, as most countries in Europe lack the ability to defend themselves, let alone galvanize other nations into acting in accordance with what is right or best for all civilizations in the world around them. For instance, an alternative author read for the purposes of this assignment believes that Europe currently suffers from imminent collapse due to the backlash against globalization (Drozdiak xii). In effect, the people of the world are vehemently against ideas like the EU and the similar confluence of power being situated into a singular structure. 

Part Three: Pluralist Europe

“From nation to nation, the real substance of Europe’s consensus-seeking democracies results from multiparty representative government founded on the bedrock of specific institutions and practices that make the various European nations the most advanced representative democracies the modern world has ever seen.” (Hill 245). 

In some ways, Hill seems to be saying that Europe’s current dynamic is new, fresh, and ready to handle any and all contingencies due to its overarching strength and radical departure from older political modalities. The evidence he provides for this statement in the books seems to stem from the attitude that representative democracy is structured according to the consensus of what the public wants and more representative of the way the people are actually structured along ethnic and gender lines (Hill 247). The argument he makes is that Europe’s form of government is the best because it is more likely to be the best for all people within any given cultural region. 

However, European culture as a whole is in sharp decline and this is for a variety of reasons, as evidenced by many pieces of information gleaned for this assignment. For instance, no longer does European culture dictate other parts of the world in regards to fashion, music, and lack of singular focus in many regards (Clark). In other words, people around the world are rejecting Europe in many ways. In this respect, European culture has faltered much like its political structure. Its political structure, for example, has also reached decadent levels due to a lack of economic stability due to certain socialistic policies and a severe dearth of growth (Brook). Many European countries fail to understand that their policies of immigration and higher taxes do not produce jobs or economic growth. 

Part Four: Europe’s Survival 

These readings are heavily flawed overall due to their lack of a clearly defined focus on the reality of Europe’s decline in the face of anti-globalization agendas the EU and other parts of the world wish to impose on others. People want to remain true to their own cultural norms; whether these might be American, European or otherwise, most common citizens wish to remain in their own societies as they see fit; rather than simply opening the floodgates to refugees and other immigrants that do not share their “common interests and common values” (Hill,308). Though there are many positives aligned with the European way of life, the fact is that most nationals within any given area want to live with their own people and mass migration hurts these individuals (Buchanon). A system that creates a scenario where people who work hard are forced to pay taxes that go towards others they do not know is simply not sustainable nor should it be as it is immoral to steal. 

Conclusion

Concepts aligned with the European way of life, as opposed to any other including the United States’, comes with the added caveat of improved understanding through a detailed examination of various forms of literature already written on the subject. In many ways, the European way of life has several positive attributes that have improved the quality of life for many millions and could possibly impact the manner by which some corners of the world might have the ability to properly handle strife and conflict. However, there are some that would argue this European structure is outdated and on the way towards being snuffed out forever due to the influx of other cultures replacing it.

Works Cited

Brooks, Arthur. “An Aging Europe in Decline.” Web. The New York Times, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/07/opinion/an-aging-europes-decline.html 

Buchanon, Patrick. “Will Europe survive the EU?” Web. The American Conservative, 2015. http://www.theamericanconservative.com/buchanan/will-europe-survive-the-eu/

Clark, Neil. “The decline of Britain’s cosmopolitan culture.” Web. The Guardian, 2008. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/jun/28/1 

Drozdiak, William. Fractured Continent. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2017. 

Hay, Maciamo. “What differentiates Europeans from Americans.” Web. Eupedia, 2018. https://www.eupedia.com/europe/cultural_differences_europe_usa.shtml

Hill, Steven. Europe’s Promise. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010. 

“How can Europe reverse its demographic decline?” Web. Debating Europe, 2016. http://www.debatingeurope.eu/2016/05/02/can-europe-reverse-demographic-decline/#.WumvCYgvyUk