I'm reading Friedman's column about Lance Armstrong in today's NYTimes and Ireland has come up again. I'm not exactly sure where I've seen it before, but I distinctly remember reading about how Ireland has gone from 'sick man of Europe' to the second richest country in the EU within a couple of generations.
It goes on to fawn at Ireland's commitment to education, providing incentives for businesses to stay in country, and generally making government a force for the good of the people. (And yes, I do beleive that people having good jobs is a 'good' thing for people.)
Friedman is implying that America should be more like Ireland. Simple enough. Quite logical, and as an individual who has never been to Ireland, I'll say that according to the information provided, I agree with him.
It will never happen.
It will never happen for reasons that are far more fundimental than the fact that the U.S. Government is in bed with business not to be advocates for the population, but to increase the profits of businesses. It has little to do with the fact that education is scorned by our government and our culture. In America, it's an insult to be called 'Einstein.'
Some people would argue that the difference between the US and Ireland is that one is a super power and the other is not. Or that one is a racial melting pot while the other is more homogeneous. (disclaimer: I don't know if that's true. I can however see people claiming that.)
The fundimental reason that Ireland has become Friedmans utopia while America has languished is that Ireland's small and the US is big, geographically speaking.
Our geography has been both the root of our power and greatness and the root of many of our shortcomings. Manifest Destiny vs. the resources to become a world power unequalled in human history.
In our current situation, I beleive that the vastness of the United states creates divisions and conflicting interests. I beleive that our far-flung citizenry finds itself with little influence in the day to day governing that goes on thousands of miles from their home. I think that Americans think that they have very little in common with Americans in other regioins when it comes to religion, politics, economics, culture, and even language. Yet despite all that, the United States of America's government is by and large monolithic, applying the same laws everywhere.
I do not wish to imply that I think 'full faith and credit' is a bad thing. Nor do I want to imply that cetain parts of the country are more or less deserving of the rights we've earned as Americans.
Obviously geography is a problem that does not have a solution. The purpose of this diary was simply to elicit thoughts on how much our geography impacts our politics.