100 books
—
2 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream” as Want to Read:
The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream
by
At one time the American Dream was the ideal and envy of the world. But today, at the dawn of the new Millennium, Europe is pointing a new way to the future. In this major new book, best-selling author Jeremy Rifkin argues that Europe has a vision of its own and is overtaking America as the world's next superpower. The American Dream was based on economic growth, personal
...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 434 pages
Published
September 1st 2005
by Tarcherperigee
(first published August 1st 2004)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The European Dream,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about The European Dream
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream
I had very mixed feelings about this book when I read it. First, the truly positive ideas had to do with the nature of a society that is advancing out of a Capitalist regime. In particular, he seems to appreciate as few authors do, that the massive increase in production has led to a situation in which a lot of the behavioral effects of the “American Dream” may not make sense.
In this regard, he does have a point with respect to the monetary side of the “American Dream” and the manner in which t ...more
In this regard, he does have a point with respect to the monetary side of the “American Dream” and the manner in which t ...more
Statistical facts in the book are dated already. However, the explanation of philosphical differences in the ways thinking between Americans and Europeans is still accurate, as far as my own understanding of these issues goes.
What makes us (that is the U.S.) different from Europeans? There are some profound observations to be uncovered here.
Now a rather dated book, I completed the first few chapters for the sake of examining the immediate historical survey to our current circumstances and skimmed the rest. Then I took some notes and passed it along.
The following are not my notes but quoted passages from the book that I found to be of the most interest:
...
The American Dream…an emphasis on economic growth, personal wea ...more
Now a rather dated book, I completed the first few chapters for the sake of examining the immediate historical survey to our current circumstances and skimmed the rest. Then I took some notes and passed it along.
The following are not my notes but quoted passages from the book that I found to be of the most interest:
...
The American Dream…an emphasis on economic growth, personal wea ...more
Jeremy Rifkin starts from the brief history about how EU was created, and them compares all social and political aspects of life in America and Europe. He formulates the basic European Dream, which is all about inclusivity, high quality of life, human rights and sustainable environment development.
This book will be interesting to read for anyone, regardless where you live. It will give you the better understanding of how Europe works, and what ideas of Europe you'll see standing on the passport ...more
This book will be interesting to read for anyone, regardless where you live. It will give you the better understanding of how Europe works, and what ideas of Europe you'll see standing on the passport ...more
I liked this book, although I do think he exaggerates a lot of the great things about Europe. The events in France recently have shown that there are some serious problems with the European model, as have the economic problems facing the Scandinavian model. It is worth a read though. Where he is right on is that the European pace of life is generally much more conducive to being human/living, than the American model.
Don't totally agree with Rifkins premises but it's a good primer to begin thought about a different "world order"
IM DONE.
And it was actually interesting. But reading late schoolwork on a bus is never fun.
And it was actually interesting. But reading late schoolwork on a bus is never fun.
Book has not aged well!
If you Europe is so much better than the US, why does author still live here?
Loved this lecture! The way of writing makes it really easy to go through. I feel like most readers don't take into account the date of the book; considering how old it is, I think it's quite contemporary for the conclusions to undertake into the daily life!
Presents very well the core values based on which the communities are based of, regardless how applicable and strong they are in the current years.
Recommend!
Presents very well the core values based on which the communities are based of, regardless how applicable and strong they are in the current years.
Recommend!
Too much about America.
While Europe is generally underreported in today's media, the notion that it will become a superpower and eclipse the United States is one that ignores the economic and demographic realities of the continent.
On the demographic front, most European populations have a birthrate worse than the PRC under its One Child Policy. This year, there are more people aged 55-64 than 15-24. In 1900 Europe contained 25% of the world's people, by 2050 it will comprise less than 7%. Worse, to make up for the lo ...more
On the demographic front, most European populations have a birthrate worse than the PRC under its One Child Policy. This year, there are more people aged 55-64 than 15-24. In 1900 Europe contained 25% of the world's people, by 2050 it will comprise less than 7%. Worse, to make up for the lo ...more
In 'The European Dream' Rifkin argues that the European approach to governance is better suited to an increasing interconnected world and a higher overall standard of living than the American approach of self sufficiency and individualism. He presents as evidence for this conclusion: GDP, poverty rates, education levels, life expectancy, health care, environmental stewardship and a host of other factors which indicate that the US may be a nation in decline, while the European Union is in the asc
...more
We read this book for class while I was in Germany. It's loaded with information, so it's a dense read, but it's mind-blowing. If you love European culture, read this book. If you want further information into the impact the European Union has and will make, read this book. Rifkin takes a comparative look at the geographic and historical differences between the rise of America into a superpower as opposed to and similar to Europe. These differences are now benefitting Europe and it's course into
...more
One of those books which you don't have read starting with Chapter 1 through to the end, but that you really enjoy doing so. Rifkin actually weaves an enthralling tale of European and American history that brings the reader along on a journey to the present day and provides a glimpse of the future. Rifkin expertly but clearly explains the development of the individual and privacy, the drive for business efficiency in America (I've mentioned these parts in a public management graduate course) and
...more
People the world over are likely to recognize the phrase "The American Dream". There are many connotations that come with the phrase, but for many, America embodies the land of hope. According to social thinker and author of The European Dream, Jeremy Rifkin, the American Dream is close to becoming eclipsed by another dream, that of the European mentality. Is this, however, a purely positive change?
Read the rest of my review of The European Dream here. ...more
Read the rest of my review of The European Dream here. ...more
I loved it!!! If you'd like to learn more about the USA (and how it compares to Europe), and you like surprises, and lots of interesting stuff, this book is an absolute must. Actually, I think I'd recommend this book pretty much to anyone who cares about what happens in the society/economy they live in.
The book is totally engaging, and well researched and cited, which I love. And, best of all, I really feel like the author is giving a fair and balanced view. Great book!!!!
The book is totally engaging, and well researched and cited, which I love. And, best of all, I really feel like the author is giving a fair and balanced view. Great book!!!!
It's interesting reading this book from some perspective.
It's also worth checking the 2010's results of the Innovation Union Scoreboard:
"The EU is failing to close the innovation performance gap with its main international competitors: the US and Japan. Although the trends in most EU Member States are promising despite the economic crisis, progress is not fast enough."
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesA... ...more
It's also worth checking the 2010's results of the Innovation Union Scoreboard:
"The EU is failing to close the innovation performance gap with its main international competitors: the US and Japan. Although the trends in most EU Member States are promising despite the economic crisis, progress is not fast enough."
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesA... ...more
Very good introduction to the European Union framework. Written before the repeal of the European Constitution, the book focuses on highlighting differences between the "old" American Dream, and a "new" paradigm that Europe has put at the front of its political agenda. All in all, an amenable reading. Interested parties should also peek at the Wikipedia introductory book on EU affairs, to be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book:Eur...
...more
...more
This book is a marvelous analysis of the European Dream as contrasted to the American Dream. Rifkin argues that the American Dream has become obsolete and that the European Dream is the dream of the future. He also argues that the future of the United States rests on learning about and perhaps adopting elements of the European Dream for a new American Dream.
I highly reccomend this one to people interested in modern political trends. The author is a well known politician and University professor. The book is written in a "everyday" language so one will not get bored with political and economical "blah blah blah" after a few pages. It's a great, wise and interesting book for everybody!
Jan 28, 2008
kellyn
marked it as to-read
I can't WAIT to read this, I bought it when reading a lot about the differences b/t European and American lifestyles such as America growing up with the automobile and the consequences that has had on the way our communities are structured and the 'live to work' ethic of Americans vs 'work to live' ethic of Europeans.
I feel like I live between two worlds - I'm grateful to be an American for the opportunities it has given me, but I agree a great deal with the European way of thinking and quite a few of their social goals. I align with some of the European ways of thinking regarding education, possessions, time. I enjoyed the history that this book provided and some of the philosophy behind it.
Thought the first few chapters were fascinating comparing the Europeans to Americans, but skipped much of the middle as was too philosophical for me. Luckily, the last few chapters were more readable. Should make for an interesting book club discussion with both Americans and Europeans (and one Kiwi) around the table.
This is a most thoughtful book. It explores not only the EU's current social/emotional makeup, but the background behind it.
He also contrasts the EU's social maturity to the US's lack thereof.
I recommend this as a good guide to understanding where our two societies are now and as a guide to how we can meld the best of both.
He also contrasts the EU's social maturity to the US's lack thereof.
I recommend this as a good guide to understanding where our two societies are now and as a guide to how we can meld the best of both.
Its a fantastic book and Rifkin is a great thinker. The only problem with it though is that reading it after the recession sometimes it feels a little dated or that in order to be complete it would require including things that take into account the recession. Part of me is hoping for an updated version soon!
A very sweeping book, more polemical than anything else.. it could and should have been merely a long article in perhaps the New Yorker or the Atlantic. Could have been greatly improved by shrewd editing, as Rifkin has the propensity to ramble a bit.
This book was a bit overly theoretical. But I enjoyed the discussion of how Europe transitioned from a feudal to a capitalist economy, as well as how many European policies are superior to our own and are a model for the rest of the world.
Makes you even more scared about Bush/Republicans and the North American Free Trade Agreement! If you've never heard of NAFTA, read about it... scary stuff.
way too much naval gazing and post-modern thought, pleh
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
News & Interviews
Tami Charles is a former teacher and the author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. As a teacher, she made...
29 likes · 46 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“El sueño europeo pone el acento en las relaciones comunitarias más que en la autonomía individual, en la diversidad cultural más que en la asimilación, en la calidad de vida más que en la acumulación de riqueza, en el desarrollo sostenible más que en el progreso material ilimitado, en el juego* antes que en el trabajo duro, en los derechos humanos universales y los derechos de la naturaleza por encima de los derechos de propiedad, y en la cooperación global más que en el ejercicio unilateral del poder.”
—
1 likes
More quotes…
