In recent essays, I’ve compared American capitalism to European social democracy — and pointed out that the latter is more successful in every way imaginable. So while the average Western European lives history’s longest, happiest, and richest life, the average American lives in a weird, bizarre, gruesome state: perched perpetually at the edge of ruin, living paycheck to paycheck, fearing their kids might be shot at school, dreading that they’ll have to choose between chemotherapy and bankrupting their loved ones, and watching extremists rampage through what’s left of their democracy.
Now, all of that might have (justifiably) left you with the impression that I’m saying something like: “Europe’s perfect!! America, go be Europe!!” In truth, I’m saying (or least hoping that I’m saying) something a little more subtle.