Thread: The American-Western European Values Gap

The gap in values between Western European values and American values is much higher than one would think at first. I think this article that I link is really interesting, and will put some lights because I think like I am thinking, maybe.

I think that is something interesting to compare and see that we are more different than one would have thought in the first point.

http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/...an-values-gap/

What is interesting is see how Europe is more less individualist than USA. In Europe there is not value of "the rest die or starve while I am having a lot of money", though in Europe influenced by USA is advancing to this thinking.

Some graphs extract from the article:






Also is interesting to see how in Europe religion is not valued. Much less than in USA. And most of the people in Europe consider that is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while in USA is the contrary, that can bring to some interesting conclusions, like USA is much more conservative than Europe.

Nice post kilgram, I knew americans were backwards but I didnt imagined it to be so bad.

Originally Posted by kilgram

The gap in values between Western European values and American values is much higher than one would think at first. I think this article that I link is really interesting, and will put some lights because I think like I am thinking, maybe.

I think that is something interesting to compare and see that we are more different than one would have thought in the first point.

http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/...an-values-gap/

What is interesting is see how Europe is more less individualist than USA. In Europe there is not value of "the rest die or starve while I am having a lot of money", though in Europe influenced by USA is advancing to this thinking.

Some graphs extract from the article:






Also is interesting to see how in Europe religion is not valued. Much less than in USA. And most of the people in Europe consider that is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while in USA is the contrary, that can bring to some interesting conclusions, like USA is much more conservative than Europe.

With this I agree. The concept of a so called "God Fearing" or "Christian" nation of America is ridiculous, especially in context to much of the American right. Many of the so called "Christian Right" in America don't give a (*)(*)(*)(*) all about the disadvantaged in society.

I know. It's hard to believe Americans actually believe they should be allowed to pursue their goals without government interference. And, my god, to think they actually have control over their ability to succeed. How backward.

We all know that no one can succeed. They have to be cared for by the state. And the backward Americans haven't accepted that. Unbelievable.

Originally Posted by kilgram

The gap in values between Western European values and American values is much higher than one would think at first. I think this article that I link is really interesting, and will put some lights because I think like I am thinking, maybe.

I think that is something interesting to compare and see that we are more different than one would have thought in the first point.

http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/...an-values-gap/

What is interesting is see how Europe is more less individualist than USA. In Europe there is not value of "the rest die or starve while I am having a lot of money", though in Europe influenced by USA is advancing to this thinking.

Some graphs extract from the article:






Also is interesting to see how in Europe religion is not valued. Much less than in USA. And most of the people in Europe consider that is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while in USA is the contrary, that can bring to some interesting conclusions, like USA is much more conservative than Europe.

Perhaps you should take a course on American political culture. The United States is not backwards in any sense of the world. We think differently than our western European counterparts.

Our fundamental ideals are the following:

1. Individual Responsibility (Rugged Individualism)
2. Liberty (people should be able to do what they want with little government interference)
3. Democracy (government should be accountable to the people)
4. Equality of opportunity (not equality of result)
5. Civic Duty (participation in government)

In many European nations, there's greater emphasis on equality of result. Individual responsibility is still very important, but collective efforts are seen as the better approach towards daily activities.

Originally Posted by kilgram

The gap in values between Western European values and American values is much higher than one would think at first. I think this article that I link is really interesting, and will put some lights because I think like I am thinking, maybe.

I think that is something interesting to compare and see that we are more different than one would have thought in the first point.

http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/...an-values-gap/

What is interesting is see how Europe is more less individualist than USA. In Europe there is not value of "the rest die or starve while I am having a lot of money", though in Europe influenced by USA is advancing to this thinking.

Some graphs extract from the article:






Also is interesting to see how in Europe religion is not valued. Much less than in USA. And most of the people in Europe consider that is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while in USA is the contrary, that can bring to some interesting conclusions, like USA is much more conservative than Europe.

At least there is some hope for Europe in all of that. Once the British rid themselves of Thatcherites like Blair and Cameron.

It has the values to lift itself from the current decline. America has the values only to sink deeper into it.

Originally Posted by thediplomat2.0

Perhaps you should take a course on American political culture. The United States is not backwards in any sense of the world. We think differently than our western European counterparts.

Our fundamental ideals are the following:

1. Individual Responsibility (Rugged Individualism)
2. Liberty (people should be able to do what they want with little government interference)
3. Democracy (government should be accountable to the people)
4. Equality of opportunity (not equality of result)
5. Civic Duty (participation in government)

In many European nations, there's greater emphasis on equality of result. Individual responsibility is still very important, but collective efforts are seen as the better approach towards daily activities.

Check out the war,religion and homosexuality graphs.

Originally Posted by PatrickT

I know. It's hard to believe Americans actually believe they should be allowed to pursue their goals without government interference. And, my god, to think they actually have control over their ability to succeed. How backward.

We all know that no one can succeed. They have to be cared for by the state. And the backward Americans haven't accepted that. Unbelievable.

That's not my criticism, I attack the United States for refusing to aid society's disadvantaged while claiming to be a a bastion of greatness.

Originally Posted by kilgram

The gap in values between Western European values and American values is much higher than one would think at first. I think this article that I link is really interesting, and will put some lights because I think like I am thinking, maybe.

I think that is something interesting to compare and see that we are more different than one would have thought in the first point.

http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/...an-values-gap/

What is interesting is see how Europe is more less individualist than USA. In Europe there is not value of "the rest die or starve while I am having a lot of money", though in Europe influenced by USA is advancing to this thinking.

Some graphs extract from the article:






Also is interesting to see how in Europe religion is not valued. Much less than in USA. And most of the people in Europe consider that is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while in USA is the contrary, that can bring to some interesting conclusions, like USA is much more conservative than Europe.

It was in search of the individual that split the U.S. from England to begin with IMO. Coming to an uncivil nation to begin a new nation reinforced the individual spirit. It was those who survived the harsh conditions that built our innovative nature. No individual is like the next, it isn't a one size fits all for the world. Each is unique in their abilities, thoughts and ambitions, stifling that would create a stagnant nation.

Originally Posted by Flag

Check out the war,religion and homosexuality graphs.

To address religion, the United States was settled by a religious sect manifesting from the Protestant Reformation, the Puritans. From colonists to United States citizens, we have kept the ideals of the protestant work ethic alive and well. However, these ideals wouldn't have been maintained if not for a strong belief in god and religion.