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america
November 2009 
America and Europe: Viva La Difference!
Posted on Sep 5th, 2008
by 
Albert
Albert
A lightminded excursion for International Hherald Tribune of
Josef Joffe,
editor and publisher of German weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT. Fareed Zakaria calls Josef Joffe even one of Europes biggest Intellectuals. Well, this statement alone shows me that LOTS of transatlantic communication-in-depth is still to be done! And it cannot be left to Journalists, Polticians and Consultants alone...
My take on the theme:
its a simple snapshot of feelings and atmospheric observations. Europe as much as US need to awaken to the world of 21st century where the Asia Pacific World is emerging rapidly and with great power. The felt basis temperature of Joffes measuring of Europe as much as America is the simple stagnant status quo of two social-cultural holons which need new dynamics, perspectives and bold appproaches to act with intelligence, strategic imagination and geopolitical wizardry on a planet with 6-7 billion earthlings of whom 70 percent -more than 4 billion! -are far away from enlightenment standards a declining intellectual elite! as much in Europe as in USA are meditating on.
Viva la Difference can only mean a strong understanding of stratified democracy and very different shifts on the globe. The parts of the world which belong to the second or third worlds will feel intuitively if the elites in Europe and USA are awakening to these realities.
At the heart of human emergence are Ccaucasus- and Palestine/Israel conflict too. Mr Jofffe, discover the differences in new light. And with new lenses!
America and Europe: Viva La Difference!
It's decline time again in America, like every 20 years or so.
Last time round, in 1988, the doomsayers got everything right - except the name of the country. For it was the Soviet Union which collapsed while the United States went on to savor its "unipolar moment." This time it is a consumptive greenback, shrinking credit, soaring gas and two wars with no V-Day in sight in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Now let's look across the Atlantic where Europe used to strike Americans as one huge Disneyland with real castles and wondrous shopping arcades, like H&M (for the kids) and Hermès (for the Kerrys).
Today, the Manolo is on the other foot, or, more apropos, in the other shopping bag. Over the last eight years, the euro has almost doubled in value against the dollar. It used to be the Japanese who bought Fifth Avenue dry; now it is those Euro hordes and even Russians! They even come to buy their own stuff - Prada, Zara, whateva - which usually costs a lot more in Milan than in Manhattan.
So what do the Europeans have the Americans don't? Above all, more time. At home, Barack Obama could never pull in 200,000 as he did in Berlin in July.
Access: Public
I smile :)
Vive la difference!
Thanks Albert. Sherri
Hi Albert. how are you'
I like the subject you are talking about, let me tell my opinion. I think that europeans are doing exactly the same americans do, just a little later. All what happens in America is coming to Europe sooner or later, good and bad things. I remember as a kid viewing a way of life in the american films that we eventually joined.
What did the Banks in America that have put into difficulties many of their citizens was the worst idea to make money ever, but was bought by European Banks too and we are suffering just a little latter the same problem.
About Obama, I have to admit his magy, his ability to communicate and to touch the crowd, but when left Europe quickly because of his acceptation here could not like his voters there, I realized he was just another one political, moving for political reasons, and I mainly don't trust in politics.
Of course America is no more that big dream it was, anything is forever, but Europe have still a long way to walk, it's China now who is waking up , it's just her turn liked us or not. We made them work for a few money and felt so proud of it, but when our business will all down their prices will be no more cheap, you will see, and will be us working cheap for them. It's just their turn.
But no matter what Country is the leader, we have to admit we are all under the goveertnment of the money, and that politicals serve to it, we would have to be able to retrieve the power we gave them…
In a global world neither Europe nor US is leader per se. Look at BRIC countries…
Europeans do not always adapt what comes from US.
My take is the collective unconsciousness can accept more differences and needs of poltical, spiritual and sexual correctness. American Public Consciousness is often very protective and concerned about correct behvior. A stronger secular layer here has its own advantages and disadvantages. A complex SWOT profile of US and EU would reveal LOTS of discoveries….:)