"The European Dream" by Jeremy Rifkin

In a panel debate with Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends and advisor to government leaders and heads of state, the Green/EFA group discussed on Tuesday, 15 February 2005 in the European Parliament the chances of realizing the "European Dream".
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Addressing over 400 auditors, Rifkin presented the core thesis of his book "The European Dream". According to him, the USA and Europe represent two different value systems and two conceptions of how to organize society. Whereas in the USA people aspire to individualism and the realisation of individual liberty, Europeans do foremost believe in the need for responsibility, empathy and sustainability. In a globalized world, argued Rifkin, it is the European conception that needs to become the leading world vision. Already today, Europe has at least the same economic strength as America and does certainly not lag behind, as is often assumed. More importantly, Europe offers its citizens a higher quality of life, meaning longer vacation, maternity protection, and better health care than is the case in the United States. The notion of "quality of life" itself, stressed the trend watcher, does not play a role in America.
In many regions in the world, the project of European integration as well as the European approach to ecologic and social problems is watched with great attention. Europe currently has the chance of setting a good example for the future development of the whole world.


Видео "The European Dream" by Jeremy Rifkin канала Pierre Lison