The text on this page considers
the different conditions that have formed the background to the development of
politics in the USA and Europe. In addition to its system
of government and electoral law,
which are dealt with in more detail in other sections, these conditions also
form the background to the way in which the American party system is structured.
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Politics
in the USA |
European history over the last two
centuries has been characterized by a simultaneous struggle across four different
interweaving areas:
 |
1. The
power-consuming struggle to achieve the goals of the French Revolution,
that is, replacing absolutist feudal systems with democratic
constitutional states
2. An awakening of national identity and the creation of many national states
mostly during war or revolution
3. The transformation of an agricultural society into a modern industrial
society living in large cities
4. Competition among European states to expand their sphere of influence and
power across the earth during a period of imperialism with two world
wars which brought Europe to the edge of its existence. Only after the disastrous
effects of the Second World War did Europe come to its senses, beginning
frantic efforts to achieve for Europe that which had been present in the
USA for over 200 years: A system of united states with all its positive consequences. |
In contrast, historical
developments in America have been very different indeed. The states in America
were united right from the word go, since the War of Independence, and only had
to be held together once during a war of secession. (...) Right from the beginning,
ever since the ratification of the nation's constitution, the states were able
to enjoy life according to the most modern political rules, developed in line
with the ideas on enlightenment and the French Revolution (...).
 |
A major factor
in the development of the USA was the way in which the country was free
to develop without wars, once the violent struggle to settle this large
continent had been completed. The land was utilized, agricultural
society was transformed into industrialized society and urbanization was
able to flourish. Yet instead of these large-scale processes taking
place concurrently, they largely took place one after another,
concentrating energy to each stage of development. In contrast, in
Europe these developments largely took place concurrently leading to an
ongoing overstraining of energies. |
Social problems were greatly
reduced in that anyone willing to work was able to find well-paid employment in
this land of endless opportunity. Indeed, those who recognize this also
understand that the development of an underprivileged working class à la Europe
was not possible in America's open society - social mobility paved the way for so
many to reach the top. It is also for this reason that a revolutionary socialist
movement was unable to establish itself in the US. Trade unions also emerged on
the scene rather late in the day and, like both of the large American political
parties, had no socialist tendencies.
|
Putting it
simply, it is fair to say that the energy derived out of uniting the
states, the constitution, the settlement of the land and
industrialization in the USA led to this energy becoming concentrated
and combined, despite all the frictions, while in Europe energy was
expended in social conflict and revolution, national conflicts and war,
and in colonial adventure. It is hoped that the European Union can bring
about a change at an economic level initially and then at a political
and social level. |
The
American national anthem
"The
Star-Spangled Banner"
O say, can
you see by the dawn's early light,
What so
proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad
stripes and bright stars thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the
ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
And the
rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof
thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say! does
the star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land
of the free and the home of the brave? |
|
| Customs
barriers have never existed in the US, which has an economic area of
continental dimension. From the very beginning, the market economy in
America provided for free interplay of market forces and in so doing
created a lasting "economic miracle". |
|
Admittedly, these developments
were accompanied by regular economic crisis. In Europe, a patchwork quilt in
contrast to America, state intervention, autarky endeavors and customs policy
all conspired to prevent the free development of the economy.
Drawing on major advantages
including the big stimulus given to its economy during the Second World War, the
United States was able to catch up with Europe and overtake it as the world's
leading industrial nation. The somewhat disadvantaged people of Europe now hope
- drawing on the lessons learnt during the Second World War - that they will be
able to imitate the success of America through a united Europe.
[Taken from: Ernst Rudolf Voigts: Die
Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika, Informationen zur politischen Bildung 156, Bonn
BpB 1979]
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