Europe's Quiet Revolution, a Model for the US?

[FayeforCure]

European settlers founded the US, initially for economic reasons and later to escape religious persecution in their homelands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_colonization_of_the_Americas#List_of_European_colonies_in_the_Americas

The American system has strong roots derived from modifications of the old European system.

Are there things from Europe that we may incorporate in our own system today that could improve the direction of our own country? The kneejerk response would be: "hell no, the US is the greatest nation in the world and we invent our own solutions"

Well, certainly Europe is leading the way in sustainable growth, and economic security for its people.  This very well may be the key to structural changes we need in our own system. Why re-invent the wheel with American short range thinking, when European long-range thinking has been tried and true.

Something we might want to emulate here in the US without the intrinsic fear of real change:


Europe's Quiet Revolution


by Steven Hill, RootsActionon August 15, 2011.


The overarching challenge in the world today is: how do we advance the institutions and practices capable of enacting a desirable quality of life for a burgeoning global population of 6.5 billion people?  And how do we accomplish that in a way that does not burn up the planet in a Venus atmosphere of our own creation?  That is a tall order to fill, yet it is the defining task of the 21st century.

RootsAction is calling for a bold jobs plan to address poverty.

More than anywhere else, Europe has fostered the types of innovations that point the way forward for the world to meet these challenges. Europe's brand of "social capitalism" is better suited for the 21st century than  America's "Wall Street capitalism" because it has developed itself on several major fronts.

* Real family values:  healthcare and supports for families and workers.  European nations score at the top on social and health indicators, with Europeans today enjoying universal health care for all, generous retirement pensions, an average of five weeks paid vacation (compared to two in the U.S.), paid sick leave, paid parental leave, kiddy stipends (about $200 per month for children's needs), affordable childcare (Americans pay at least six times more for child care), low-cost higher education (in some countries it's free), and a shorter work week with comparable wages for their workers. Social spending in Europe runs 35 percent per capita above that in the United States; even in Greece, which has been beset by debt troubles recently, people still have more of these supports than most Americans.

European nations are rated by the World Health Organization as having the best health care systems in the world, yet they don't all use a British or Canadian style single-payer system. Some have single-payer, but others like France and Germany employ private nonprofit insurance companies as the backbone of their health care systems. As a result they spend only about half the amount (per capita) as the United States, which has a for-profit system, to provide universal coverage, even as 47 million Americans, many of them children, don't have any health care except a hospital emergency room. Despite spending far more money, U.S. health care is ranked 37th in the world -- just ahead of Cuba and Kuwait. Even European nations like Croatia, with far less wealth than America, provide health care for all, truly a damning indictment of the American for-profit system.

Environmental sustainability, readying for global warming. Europe is leading in preparing for global warming, with widespread deployment of conservation practices and "green design" in everything from skyscrapers, homes and automobiles to low wattage light bulbs, motion sensor lights and low flush toilets. Europe has moved forward aggressively with renewable energy technologies like solar, wind and sea power, as well as efficient mass transit, high speed trains and more. In the process, Europe has created hundreds of thousands of new green jobs. As a result of this transformation toward sustainability, the average European uses half the electricity of the average American, and it takes 40 percent more fuel to drive a mile in an American car compared to a European vehicle. Europe has reduced its "ecological footprint" (the per capita amount of the earth's capacity that a population consumes) to half that of the United States for the same standard of living.

Economic power.  The typical knock against Europe by American critics has been that these levels of support for workers, families, communities and the environment make the European economies weak and sclerotic, likened to a sick old man. However, this turns out to be a myth promoted by U.S. ideologues and their media accomplices. Even after the economic collapse of 2008, Europe has the largest economy in the world, producing nearly a third of the world's gross domestic product, almost as large as the United States and China combined. It has more Fortune 500 companies than the U.S. and China combined, and some of the most competitive national economies in the world, according to the World Economic Forum. The E.U. is now the largest trading partner with both the U.S. and China.

The US prides itself on its vibrant small-business sector, but Europe's economy actually has more small businesses than the U.S. that provide two-thirds of Europe's jobs, compared to less than half the jobs in the United States. So much for red tape supposedly strangling the European economy. Despite sovereign debt difficulties in a handful of countries, Europe's economy is hardly weak or sclerotic. And Europe is hardly socialist, indeed it is firmly capitalist, but it is a different kind of capitalism -- social capitalism rather than Wall Street capitalism.

Economic democracy. Practices like codetermination, works councils, co-operatives, public-private partnerships and a vibrant small-business sector are fostering a greater degree of economic democracy in Europe. Codetermination, first pioneered by Germany, allows workers at major corporations to elect their own representatives that sit side by side with stockholder representatives on corporate boards of directors. It also includes worker-elected works councils in most workplaces, which give workers a great deal of input and consultation at the shop floor level. Imagine if Wal-Mart were required by law that allow its workers to elect 50 percent of its board of directors â€" that's what Germany does. It's hard for Americans to even conceive of such a notion, yet many European nations employ some version of this as standard operating procedure.

Europe in effect has reinvented the corporation, yet across the Atlantic we know hardly anything about it. Critics like Naomi Klein and Noam Chomsky criticize corporations and capitalism as if they operate the same everywhere, when in fact they don't. The impact of codetermination has been immensely significant, and yet it has not hurt Europe's economy; indeed various studies have shown that these practices have helped the economy.

Robust political democracy. After centuries of kings and dictators, Europe has forged pluralistic political institutions and electoral methods like proportional representation, public financing of campaigns, free media time for campaigns and universal voter registration that have produced the most representative democracies in the world at the national level (at the European Union level, which is relatively new and still in formation, it's a different story).  These modern practices have fostered inclusiveness, participation, multiparty representation and policy based on broad public support and consensus-building. Europe's robust political democracies ensure that politics rule over economics, instead of the other way around, ensuring that the benefits of its prosperous social capitalism are broadly shared.

One American myth says that "Europeans pay more taxes than Americans" for this social capitalism. But for their taxes, Europeans receive a seemingly endless list of supports and services for which Americans must pay extra, via out-of-pocket fees, premiums, deductibles, higher tuition and other charges, in addition to their taxes.

For example, many Americans are paying escalating health care premiums and deductibles, while Europeans receive health care in return for a modest amount deducted from their paycheck. Other Americans are saving tens of thousands of dollars per child for their college education, yet European children attend for free or nearly so. Millions of Americans are scraping to save the amount they will need for retirement beyond Social Security, but the European public retirement systems are much more generous, paying out twice as much per individual as U.S. Social Security. Many Americans pay extra for child care (at least six times what Europeans pay), or self-finance their own parental leave after a birth, but Europeans receive all of these and more -- in return for paying their taxes. When you sum up the total balance sheet â€" taxes paid as well as out-of-pocket -- it turns out that many Americans pay out as much as or more than Europeans, but we get a lot less for our money.

Properly understood, Europe's economy, political democracies, social support system and environmental vision are all components of its well-designed social capitalism -- an ingenious framework in which a capitalist economy has been harnessed to finance environmental as well as economic sustainability. In addition, the economic engine finances a social system that better supports families and employees in an age of globalized capitalism that threatens to turn most people into internationally disposable workers. Even the continent's conservative political leaders agree that this is the best way; indeed European conservatives are for the most part to the left of the Democratic Party in the U.S.

The transatlantic differences between the American and European ways is not a mere coincidence, but rather a direct result of basic differences in key economic, political and media/communication institutions and infrastructure that have been quietly incubating and developing in the post-World War II period. Taken together these differences in "fulcrum institutions" -- the crucial institutions on which everything else pivots -- are the keys to understanding the striking divergence between the European way and the American way.

*****Ironically, the land of "We, the People" still does not trust the people all that much*******, and its aging fulcrum institutions elect governments that fail to produce policy supported by a majority of Americans. Judging by the timid positions of President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats, this seems unlikely to change much, even if Democrats miraculously took back the House and held on to the Senate and presidency in 2012.

Consequently, the advances of the 21st century in political, economic, media and social organization will continue to take place in Europe, not America. Despite the short-term debt crises in some of the E.U. member states, if we are to survive the 21st century then Europe must step up its global leadership. Part of that process must involve spotlighting its fulcrum institutions â€" economic, environmental and political -- as the basis for a new development model that offers hope to the world.

In short, if the European Way didn't exist, we would have to invent it.  In this make-or-break century beset by a worldwide economic crisis, global warming and new geopolitical tensions, the European model has the greatest potential to carry the world forward.

Join the call for bold solutions to poverty.

Political writer Steven Hill's (www.Steven-Hill.com) latest book is "Europe's Promise: Why the European Way is the Best Hope in an Insecure Age" (www.EuropesPromise.org).
 

[civil42806]

Tell that to the Greeks

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

maybe you didn't actually read it, civil--the greeks were not overlooked.

[Garden guy]

we should look at europe for clues on how our society is going to evolve. any country that does'nt look at another for good ideas is a country destine for failure...i just hope the usa learns its lessons from out past and know not to do that again...we don't have a great record of learning from our past which is why we are where we are today.

[kells904]

One American myth says that "Europeans pay more taxes than Americans" for this social capitalism. But for their taxes, Europeans receive a seemingly endless list of supports and services for which Americans must pay extra, via out-of-pocket fees, premiums, deductibles, higher tuition and other charges, in addition to their taxes.

Yet, Cameron seems to think that British society is quite broken and needs to be fixed.  I think he might know better than any of us about this stuff, as far as England is concerned, at least. Government programs leading to austerity and needing to raise tuition?  Riots?  Uh....no thanks.

[Jimmy]

It's easy to focus on strengthening the social safety net when you don't have to expend much on a national defense.  I'd be more than happy to see the US follow Europe's model to enlightenment, but then who would be the world's police force?  China?

If Europe would lift its freight and defend itself, the US would have ample resources to tend to our needs at home.  IMHO.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

this 'world's police force' nonsense is just that:  nonsense.  most ov our 'policing' is really just interfering--usually so someöne here can make some profit.

i'm not saying our military hasn't done any good in the world, but the idea that we're 'the world's police force' is the height ov misplaced arrogance.

[Gators312]

this 'world's police force' nonsense is just that:  nonsense.  most ov our 'policing' is really just interfering--usually so someöne here can make some profit.

i'm not saying our military hasn't done any good in the world, but the idea that we're 'the world's police force' is the height ov misplaced arrogance.

It's not really nonsense nor arrogance, it's pretty much fact.  When someone is being bullied  they come looking to the US first. 

I'm not saying we haven't taken ourselves where we weren't wanted or needed to be, but no doubt the World looks to us to come to the rescue before NATO, or any EU country.   

Military engagement or Natural Disaster we are their first call.

[Gators312]

this 'world's police force' nonsense is just that:  nonsense.  most ov our 'policing' is really just interfering--usually so someöne here can make some profit.

i'm not saying our military hasn't done any good in the world, but the idea that we're 'the world's police force' is the height ov misplaced arrogance.

It's not really nonsense nor arrogance, it's pretty much fact.  When someone is being bullied  they come looking to the US first. 

I'm not saying we haven't taken ourselves where we weren't wanted or needed to be, but no doubt the World looks to us to come to the rescue before NATO, or any EU country.   

Military engagement or Natural Disaster we are their first call.

In our sphere of interest perhaps.

But its a bit of an exaggeration to say that we do this for the world.  We actually dont.

Stephen,

What country is responsible for the most policing then?

When it comes to foreign aid who is giving the most? 

In my opinion, it is a bit of an exaggeration to say we only help in our sphere of interest.  At some point you can not be everything to everyone. 

I am sure ALL countries are limited in their efforts outside of their sphere of interest. 

So I guess we all agree that the US doesn't respond to every "911" call the World makes, and that wasn't what I was trying to insinuate.   But some Countries do more than most.   

[Jimmy]

I'm not going to argue whether or not we're involved in the world.  Those facts speak for themselves.

What I will argue is that even if we weren't so involved, our military spending is at a level - still - as though we were.  We are paying to maintain and increase our globally deployed military force.  Of all the countries in the world, of which Europe IS NOT one, our one country accounts for nearly half of all military-related spending. 

That's a lot of money to prop up the empire and could give those of us who pay attention the impression that we're still very much engaged militarily with the world.  As its police force in presence if not in hot action.

[FayeforCure]

I'm not going to argue whether or not we're involved in the world.  Those facts speak for themselves.

What I will argue is that even if we weren't so involved, our military spending is at a level - still - as though we were.  We are paying to maintain and increase our globally deployed military force.  Of all the countries in the world, of which Europe IS NOT one, our one country accounts for nearly half of all military-related spending. 

That's a lot of money to prop up the empire and could give those of us who pay attention the impression that we're still very much engaged militarily with the world.  As its police force in presence if not in hot action.

Jimmy, you said: I'd be more than happy to see the US follow Europe's model to enlightenment, but then who would be the world's police force?  China?

So you think our role is absolutely necessary? As if we are stuck spending so much on national defense?



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

Or that the increase since 1962 is justified:



Now, don't get me wrong.............I love the military system for taking care of its people with guaranteed vacations, guaranteed healthcare, guaranteed raises etc. It's the only economic system in America with a social conscience, except for the way they randomly put people in harms way during war

But really do we absolutely need this bloated system when our country is in decline? And I do not mean: "let's take their benefits away" like right-wingers have advocated for public sector workers based on their own decline in the private sector.

[BridgeTroll]

I'm not going to argue whether or not we're involved in the world.  Those facts speak for themselves.

What I will argue is that even if we weren't so involved, our military spending is at a level - still - as though we were.  We are paying to maintain and increase our globally deployed military force.  Of all the countries in the world, of which Europe IS NOT one, our one country accounts for nearly half of all military-related spending. 

That's a lot of money to prop up the empire and could give those of us who pay attention the impression that we're still very much engaged militarily with the world.  As its police force in presence if not in hot action.

Jimmy, you said: I'd be more than happy to see the US follow Europe's model to enlightenment, but then who would be the world's police force?  China?

So you think our role is absolutely necessary? As if we are stuck spending so much on national defense?



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

Or that the increase since 1962 is justified:



Now, don't get me wrong.............I love the military system for taking care of its people with guaranteed vacations, guaranteed healthcare, guaranteed raises etc. It's the only economic system in America with a social conscience, except for the way they randomly put people in harms way during war

But really do we absolutely need this bloated system when our country is in decline? And I do not mean: "let's take their benefits away" like right-wingers have advocated for public sector workers based on their own decline in the private sector.

You are so right Faye.  I think you have hit upon another plank for the democrat platform this election... Raise taxes... and cut defense spending.  If you can come up with a few more we can put em all together and send them to the DNC and get this rolling...

[BridgeTroll]

My point Stephen is it seems to be all talk and no action.  dems talk about raising taxes... yet do not... same with defense spending.  What specifically should be cut?  For example... do we really need a nuclear carrier in Mayport?  It will be quite expensive to duplicate everything located at Norfolk... dredge the basin... just so we can have one here.  Even the democrat representatives of the state and area support the carrier.

Which bases or weapons programs should be cut?  The ones in someone elses district?  Is Pelosi and Reid willing to shut down bases in their districts?  How about shipbuilders and aerospace manufacturers?  Bases overseas?

It is political Stephen... just pointing out what you already know...

[BridgeTroll]

No one playing the blame game???  Did you read what you just wrote??  I wonder what bases in Nevada and San Francisco should be closed?  Any suggestions?  How about Florida?

[BridgeTroll]

Which ones should we cut?  These are but a few... but you get the point... I hope.

http://www.floridadefense.org/documents/ERAU/Contracts%20monitor/Florida%20Defense%20Contracts%20Monitor%20-%20March%202010.htm

X5, LLC, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was awarded on March 25 an $18,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity firm-fixed-price contract.  This contract is for research and development, science & engineering and related logistical and administrative support services for all engineering reach and development center laboratories and other local Corps entities.  Work is to be performed in with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2014.  Bids were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC Contracting Office, Vicksburg, Miss., is the contracting activity.

Hellfire Systems, LLC, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on March 24 a $268,750,936 firm-fixed-price contract for fiscal 2010 option exercise for a total quantity of 3,955 HELLFIRE II missiles.  Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

Teledyne Scientific and Imaging, LLC, West Palm Beach, Fla., was awarded on March 19  a $6,763,839 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program that will revolutionize the underlying technologies for unmanned sensor systems.  This effort seeks to emulate the mammalian visual pathway by implementing advanced models and algorithmic emulations of the entire visual pathway from retina to the visual cortex.

Suffolk Construction, Sarasota, Fla., is being awarded a $19,231,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of a physical fitness center at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The work provides for design and construction of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “Gold” certified physical fitness center.

General Dynamics â€" Ordnance and Tactical Systems, St. Petersburg, Fla., is being awarded $19,961,049 for delivery order under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-05-D-6014) for the Production Lot 3 (PL3) procurement of 20 full rate production Expeditionary Fire Support Systems (EFSS) together with their corresponding basic issue item kits, additional authorization list hardware. The EFSS provides all-weather, ground-based, close supporting, accurate, immediately responsive, and lethal indirect fires.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Simulation, Training and Support, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded an $83,305,442 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to design, develop, fabricate, integrate, and test the electronic Consolidated Automated Support System. In addition, this provides for the procurement of 14 engineering development models during the system design and development phase of the contract.

Raytheon Network Centric Systems, St. Petersburg, Fla., is being awarded a $13,680,670 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5202) for the design agent and engineering services for the cooperative engagement capability (CEC) system.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $41,898,184 contract which will provide for the purchase and contractor logistic support of sniper advanced targeting pods to support a foreign military sale customer,

Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $46,253,422.83 contract modification which will provide a quantity of 12,994 joint programmable fuze systems.  At this time, entire amount has been obligated.  679 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity.