10 Great Things About America
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Dinesh D'Souza Thursday, July 4, 2002
In the aftermath of last September's terrorist attack, we've heard a great deal about "why they hate us" and about why America is so bad. We've endured lengthy lectures about Americas history of slavery, about the defects of American foreign policy, about the materialism of America
life, and about the excesses of American culture. In the view of many critics at home and abroad, America can do no right.
This indictment, which undermines the patriotism of Americans, is based on a narrow and distorted understanding of America. It exggerates Americas faults and ignores what is good and even great about America.
As an immigrant who has chosen to become a U.S. citizen, I feel especially qualified to say what is special about this country. Having grown up in a different society in my case, Mumbai, India I am not only able to identify aspects of America that are invisible to people who hav
always lived here, but also acutely conscious of the daily blessings that I enjoy in America.
Here, then, is my list of the 10 great things about America.
1. America provides an amazingly good life for the ordinary guy.
Rich people live well everywhere. But what distinguishes America is that it provides an incomparably high standard of living for the "common man. We now live in a country where construction workers regularly pay $4 for a nonfat latte, where maids drive nice cars, and where plumbers take their families on vacation to Europe.
Indeed, newcomers to the United States are struck by the amenities enjoyed by "poor" people in the United States. This fact was dr
matized in the 1980s when CBS television broadcast the documentary "People Like Us," which was intended to show the miseries of the poor during
n ongoing recession. The Soviet Union also broadcast the documentary, with a view to embarrassing the Reagan administration.
But by the testimony of former Soviet leaders, it had the opposite effect. Ordinary people across the Soviet Union saw that the poorest Am
ricans have TV sets, microwave ovens and cars. They arrived at the same perception that I witnessed in an acquaintance of mine from Bombay
ho has been unsuccessfully trying to move to the United States.
I asked him, "Why are you so eager to come to America?" He replied, "I really want to live in a country where the poor people are fat."
2. America offers more opportunity and social mobility than any other country, including the countries of Europe.
America is the only country that has created a population of "self-made tycoons." Only in America could Pierre Omidyar, whose pa
ents are Iranian and who grew up in Paris, have started a company like eBay. Only in America could Vinod Khosla, the son of an Indian army of
icer, become a leading venture capitalist, the shaper of the technology industry, and a billionaire to boot.
Admittedly, tycoons are not typical, but no country has created a better ladder than America for people to ascend from modest ci
cumstances to success.
3. Work and trade are respectable in America, which is not true elsewhere.
Historically, most cultures have despised the merchant and the laborer, regarding the former as vile and corrupt and the latter as de
raded and vulgar. Some cultures, such as that of ancient Greece and medieval Islam, even held that it is better to acquire things through plunder
han through trade or contract labor.
But the American founders altered this moral hierarchy. They established a society in which the life of the businessman, and of the pe
ple who work for him, would be a noble calling. In the American view, there is nothing vile or degraded about serving your customers either a
a CEO or as a waiter.
The ordinary life of production and supporting a family is more highly valued in the United States than in any other country. Indeed, America is
the only country in the world where we call the waiter "sir," as if he were a knight.
4. America has achieved greater social equality than any other society.
True, there are large inequalities of income and wealth in America. In purely economic terms, Europe is more egalitarian. But Americans are so
ially more equal than any other people, and this is unaffected by economic disparities. Alexis De Tocqueville noticed this egalitar
anism a century and a half ago, but it is if anything more prevalent today.
For all his riches, Bill Gates could not approach the typical American and say, "Heres a $100 bill. I'll give it to you if you kiss my feet." M
st likely the person would tell Gates to go to hell! The American view is that the rich guy may have more money, but he isnt in any fundame
tal sense better than anyone else.
5. People live longer, fuller lives in America.
Although protesters rail against the American version of technological capitalism at trade meetings around the world, in reality the American sy
tem has given citizens many more years of life, and the means to live more intensely and actively.
In 1900, the life expectancy in America was around 50 years; today, it is more than 75 years. Advances in medicine and agriculture are mainly re
ponsible for the change. This extension of the lifespan means more years to enjoy life, more free time to devote to a good cause, and more occ
sions to do things with the grandchildren.
In many countries, people who are old seem to have nothing to do; they just wait to die. In America, the old are incredibly vigorous, and pe
ple in their 70s pursue the pleasures of life, including remarriage and sexual gratification, with a zeal that I find unnerving.
6. In America, the destiny of the young is not given to them but is created by them.
Not long ago, I asked myself, "What would my life have been like if I had never come to the United States?"
If I had remained in India, I would probably have lived my whole life within a five-mile radius of where I was born. I would undoubtedly ha
e married a woman of my identical religious and socioeconomic background. I would almost certainly have become a medical doctor, or an engi
eer, or a computer programmer. I would have socialized entirely within my ethnic community.
I would have a whole set of opinions that could be predicted in advance; indeed, they would not be very different from what my father be
ieved, or his father before him. In sum, my destiny would, to a large degree, have been given to me.
In America, I have seen my life take a radically different course. In college I became interested in literature and politics, and I resolved to
make a career as a writer. I married a woman whose ancestry is English, French, Scotch-Irish, German and American Indian.
In my 20s I found myself working as a policy analyst in the White House, even though I was not an American citizen. No other country, I am
sure, would have permitted a foreigner to work in its inner citadel of government.
In most countries in the world, your fate and your identity are handed to you; in America, you determine them for yourself. America is a co
ntry where you get to write the script of your own life. Your life is like a blank sheet of paper, and you are the artist.
This notion of being the architect of your own destiny is the incredibly powerful idea that is behind the worldwide appeal of Am
rica. Young people especially find irresistible the prospect of authoring the narrative of their own lives.
7. America has gone further than any other society in establishing equality of rights.
There is nothing distinctively American about slavery or bigotry. Slavery has existed in virtually every culture, and xenophobia, p
ejudice and discrimination are worldwide phenomena. Western civilization is the only civilization to mount a principled campaign against
slavery; no country expended more treasure and blood to get rid of slavery than the United States.
While racism remains a problem in America, this country has made strenuous efforts to eradicate discrimination, even to the extent of en
cting policies that give legal preference in university admissions, jobs and government contracts to members of minority groups. Such policies
remain controversial, but the point is that it is extremely unlikely that a racist society would have permitted such policies in the first plac
.
And surely African Americans like Jesse Jackson are vastly better off living in America than they would be if they were to live in, say, Et
iopia or Somalia.
8. America has found a solution to the problem of religious and ethnic conflict that continues to divide and terrorize much of the world.
Visitors to places like New York are amazed to see the way in which Serbs and Croatians, Sikhs and Hindus, Irish Catholics and Irish Pr
testants, Jews and Palestinians all seem to work and live together in harmony. How is this possible when these same groups are spearing each ot
er and burning each others homes in so many places in the world?
The American answer is twofold. First, separate the spheres of religion and government so that no religion is given official pr
ference but all are free to practice their faith as they wish. Second, do not extend rights to racial or ethnic groups but only to individ
als; in this way, all are equal in the eyes of the law, opportunity is open to anyone who can take advantage of it, and everybody who
embraces the American way of life can "become American."
Of course there are exceptions to these core principles, even in America. Racial preferences are one such exception, which explains why th
y are controversial. But in general, America is the only country in the world that extends full membership to outsiders.
The typical American could come to India, live for 40 years and take Indian citizenship. But he could not "become Indian." He wouldnt see hi
self that way, nor would most Indians see him that way. In America, by contrast, hundreds of millions have come from far-flung shores and over ti
e they, or at least their children, have in a profound and full sense "become American."
9. America has the kindest, gentlest foreign policy of any great power in world history.
Critics of the U.S. are likely to react to this truth with sputtering outrage. They will point to longstanding American support for a Latin or
Middle Eastern despot, or the unjust internment of the Japanese during World War II, or America's reluctance to impose sanctions on South
fricas apartheid regime. However one feels about these particular cases, let us concede to the critics the point that America is not always
n the right.
What the critics leave out is the other side of the ledger. Twice in the 20th century, the United States saved the world: first from the Na
i threat, then from Soviet totalitarianism. What would have been the world's fate if America had not existed? After destroying Germany and Jap
n in World War II, the U.S. proceeded to rebuild both countries, and today they are American allies. Now we are doing the same thing wit
Afghanistan.
Consider, too, how magnanimous the U.S. has been to the former Soviet Union after the U.S. victory in the Cold War. For the most part, Am
rica is an abstaining superpower: It shows no real interest in conquering and subjugating the rest of the world. (Imagine how the Soviets
ould have acted if they had won the Cold War.)
On occasion, America intervenes to overthrow a tyrannical regime or to halt massive human rights abuses in another country, but it never st
ys to rule that country. In Grenada, Haiti and Bosnia, the U.S. got in and then got out.
Moreover, when America does get into a war, it is supremely careful to avoid targeting civilians and to minimize collateral damage. Even as Am
rica bombed the Taliban infrastructure and hideouts, its planes dropped rations of food to avert hardship and starvation of Afghan civilian
. What other country does these things?
10. America, the freest nation on earth, is also the most virtuous nation on earth.
This point seems counterintuitive, given the amount of conspicuous vulgarity, vice and immorality in America. Indeed, some Islamic fu
damentalists argue that their regimes are morally superior to the United States because they seek to foster virtue among the citizens. Virtue,
these fundamentalists argue, is a higher principle than liberty.
Indeed it is. And let us admit that in a free society, freedom will frequently be used badly. Freedom, by definition, includes the freedom to
do good or evil, to act nobly or basely.
But if freedom brings out the worst in people, it also brings out the best. The millions of Americans who live decent, praiseworthy lives de
ire our highest admiration because they have opted for the good when the good is not the only available option. Even amidst the temptati
ns of a rich and free society, they have remained on the straight path. Their virtue has special luster because it is freely chosen.
By contrast, the societies that many Islamic fundamentalists seek would eliminate the possibility of virtue. If the supply of virtue is in
ufficient in a free society like America, it is almost non-existent in an unfree society like Iran.
The reason is that coerced virtues are not virtues at all. Consider the woman who is required to wear a veil. There is no modesty in this, be
ause she is being compelled Compulsion cannot produce virtue, it can only produce the outward semblance of virtue.
Thus, a free society like America is not merely more prosperous, more varied, more peaceful and more tolerant it is also morally superior to th
theocratic and authoritarian regimes that Americas enemies advocate.
"To make us love our country," Edmund Burke once said, "our country ought to be lovely." Burkes point is that we should love our country no
just because it is ours, but also because it is good.
America is far from perfect, and there is lots of room for improvement. In spite of its flaws, however, the American life as it is
lived today is the best life that our world has to offer. Ultimately, America is worthy of our love and sacrifice because, more than a
y other society, it makes possible the good life, and the life that is good.
Critics of the U.S. are likely to react to this truth with sputtering outrage. They will point to longstanding American support for a Latin or
Middle Eastern despot, or the unjust internment of the Japanese during World War II, or America's reluctance to impose sanctions on South
fricas apartheid regime. However one feels about these particular cases, let us concede to the critics the point that America is not always
n the right.
What the critics leave out is the other side of the ledger. Twice in the 20th century, the United States saved the world: first from the Na
i threat, then from Soviet totalitarianism. What would have been the world's fate if America had not existed? After destroying Germany and Jap
n in World War II, the U.S. proceeded to rebuild both countries, and today they are American allies. Now we are doing the same thing wit
Afghanistan.
Consider, too, how magnanimous the U.S. has been to the former Soviet Union after the U.S. victory in the Cold War. For the most part, Am
rica is an abstaining superpower: It shows no real interest in conquering and subjugating the rest of the world. (Imagine how the Soviets
ould have acted if they had won the Cold War.)
On occasion, America intervenes to overthrow a tyrannical regime or to halt massive human rights abuses in another country, but it never st
ys to rule that country. In Grenada, Haiti and Bosnia, the U.S. got in and then got out.
Moreover, when America does get into a war, it is supremely careful to avoid targeting civilians and to minimize collateral damage. Even as Am
rica bombed the Taliban infrastructure and hideouts, its planes dropped rations of food to avert hardship and starvation of Afghan civilian
. What other country does these things?
10. America, the freest nation on earth, is also the most virtuous nation on earth.
This point seems counterintuitive, given the amount of conspicuous vulgarity, vice and immorality in America. Indeed, some Islamic fu
damentalists argue that their regimes are morally superior to the United States because they seek to foster virtue among the citizens. Virtue,
these fundamentalists argue, is a higher principle than liberty.
Indeed it is. And let us admit that in a free society, freedom will frequently be used badly. Freedom, by definition, includes the freedom to
do good or evil, to act nobly or basely.
But if freedom brings out the worst in people, it also brings out the best. The millions of Americans who live decent, praiseworthy lives de
ire our highest admiration because they have opted for the good when the good is not the only available option. Even amidst the temptati
ns of a rich and free society, they have remained on the straight path. Their virtue has special luster because it is freely chosen.
By contrast, the societies that many Islamic fundamentalists seek would eliminate the possibility of virtue. If the supply of virtue is in
ufficient in a free society like America, it is almost non-existent in an unfree society like Iran.
The reason is that coerced virtues are not virtues at all. Consider the woman who is required to wear a veil. There is no modesty in this, be
ause she is being compelled Compulsion cannot produce virtue, it can only produce the outward semblance of virtue.
Thus, a free society like America is not merely more prosperous, more varied, more peaceful and more tolerant it is also morally superior to th
theocratic and authoritarian regimes that Americas enemies advocate.
"To make us love our country," Edmund Burke once said, "our country ought to be lovely." Burkes point is that we should love our country no
just because it is ours, but also because it is good.
America is far from perfect, and there is lots of room for improvement. In spite of its flaws, however, the American life as it is
lived today is the best life that our world has to offer. Ultimately, America is worthy of our love and sacrifice because, more than a
y other society, it makes possible the good life, and the life that is good.
Critics of the U.S. are likely to react to this truth with sputtering outrage. They will point to longstanding American support for a Latin or
Middle Eastern despot, or the unjust internment of the Japanese during World War II, or America's reluctance to impose sanctions on South
fricas apartheid regime. However one feels about these particular cases, let us concede to the critics the point that America is not always
n the right.
What the critics leave out is the other side of the ledger. Twice in the 20th century, the United States saved the world: first from the Na
i threat, then from Soviet totalitarianism. What would have been the world's fate if America had not existed? After destroying Germany and Jap
n in World War II, the U.S. proceeded to rebuild both countries, and today they are American allies. Now we are doing the same thing wit
Afghanistan.
Consider, too, how magnanimous the U.S. has been to the former Soviet Union after the U.S. victory in the Cold War. For the most part, Am
rica is an abstaining superpower: It shows no real interest in conquering and subjugating the rest of the world. (Imagine how the Soviets
ould have acted if they had won the Cold War.)
On occasion, America intervenes to overthrow a tyrannical regime or to halt massive human rights abuses in another country, but it never st
ys to rule that country. In Grenada, Haiti and Bosnia, the U.S. got in and then got out.
Moreover, when America does get into a war, it is supremely careful to avoid targeting civilians and to minimize collateral damage. Even as Am
rica bombed the Taliban infrastructure and hideouts, its planes dropped rations of food to avert hardship and starvation of Afghan civilian
. What other country does these things?
10. America, the freest nation on earth, is also the most virtuous nation on earth.
This point seems counterintuitive, given the amount of conspicuous vulgarity, vice and immorality in America. Indeed, some Islamic fu
damentalists argue that their regimes are morally superior to the United States because they seek to foster virtue among the citizens. Virtue,
these fundamentalists argue, is a higher principle than liberty.
Indeed it is. And let us admit that in a free society, freedom will frequently be used badly. Freedom, by definition, includes the freedom to
do good or evil, to act nobly or basely.
But if freedom brings out the worst in people, it also brings out the best. The millions of Americans who live decent, praiseworthy lives de
ire our highest admiration because they have opted for the good when the good is not the only available option. Even amidst the temptati
ns of a rich and free society, they have remained on the straight path. Their virtue has special luster because it is freely chosen.
By contrast, the societies that many Islamic fundamentalists seek would eliminate the possibility of virtue. If the supply of virtue is in
ufficient in a free society like America, it is almost non-existent in an unfree society like Iran.
The reason is that coerced virtues are not virtues at all. Consider the woman who is required to wear a veil. There is no modesty in this, be
ause she is being compelled Compulsion cannot produce virtue, it can only produce the outward semblance of virtue.
Thus, a free society like America is not merely more prosperous, more varied, more peaceful and more tolerant it is also morally superior to th
theocratic and authoritarian regimes that Americas enemies advocate.
"To make us love our country," Edmund Burke once said, "our country ought to be lovely." Burkes point is that we should love our country no
just because it is ours, but also because it is good.
America is far from perfect, and there is lots of room for improvement. In spite of its flaws, however, the American life as it is
lived today is the best life that our world has to offer. Ultimately, America is worthy of our love and sacrifice because, more than a
y other society, it makes possible the good life, and the life that is good.
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