The Battle

“Culture War”

In the aftermath of the 2008-2009 economic crisis, the U.S. is at a crossroads. It must choose between “two competing visions of America’s future.” One is based on the free enterprise system, which relies on entrepreneurial spirit, ensures individual freedom and keeps government at bay. The other represents the creeping “European statism” of bloated government, nationalized companies and “increasing income distribution.” The two systems cannot coexist; one side must emerge victorious in this new culture war.

From the time of the Founding Fathers, Americans have independently directed their “economic lives” through free enterprise. The system “respects private property, encourages industry, celebrates liberty, limits government and creates individual opportunity.” People can work without constraints, reaping “rewards and consequences, positive and negative.” This sets Americans apart from Europeans and their “social democracy”: Europeans are less likely than Americans to value competition and to relate their success to their own labors. For example, though Germans are known to work hard, only 20% of Germans say they are likely to teach this value to their...