The incurable American excess

A FEW years ago, Americans and Europeans were asked in a Pew Global Attitudes survey what was more important: “freedom to pursue life’s goals without state interference,” or “state guarantees that nobody is in need”.

In the United States, 58% chose freedom and only 35% a state pledge to eradicate neediness. In Britain, the response was the opposite: 55% opted for state guarantees and just 38% for freedom. On the European Continent – in Germany, France and Spain – those considering state protection as more important than freedom from state interference rose to 62%.