US Needs to Regain Faith in the Future

China shouldn't have monopoly on dynamism

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 17, 2009 4:00 AM CST

(Newser) – America needs to overcome its "crisis of faith" caused by China's phenomenal growth, writes David Brooks. Today's China is optimistic, forward-looking, and dynamic in the way America once was and should hope to be again, he points out in the New York Times. Surveys show that 86% of Chinese believe their country is headed in the right direction, Brooks notes, compared to just 37% of Americans.

The American economy needs to break out of the cycle of consumption and debt, and regain its focus on innovation and exports, Brooks writes, calling for policies on education and technology to be unified into "a single, long-term narrative" with a focus on regional innovation. "As the financial crises ease, it would be nice if Americans would once again start looking to the horizon," he concludes.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

A view of the skyscrapers in the Lujiazui Financial District opposite the Bund, Shanghai. (Getty Images)

A construction site along The Bund, Shanghai. (Getty Images)

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The Cultural Revolution seems to have produced among the Chinese the same sort of manic drive that the pioneer and immigrant experiences produced among the Americans.
- David Brooks

The Chinese, though members of a famously old civilization, seem to possess some of the vigor that once defined the US. - David Brooks

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 19 comments

ende

Nov 18, 2009 3:20 AM CST

Jobs for the sake of jobs? Even if they don't actually contribute anything to society?

dax

Nov 18, 2009 2:31 AM CST

[edit second reference to mortgagee/mortgager in paragraph 3 to read] : The second group of folks, the mortgagees, have been fulfilling their own pursuit of the American dream through manipulation of the dreams of the first group of folks, the mortgagers, who have been sold a bill of goods about having "everything you want" before you can actually pay for it.

SilenceDogood

Nov 17, 2009 12:52 PM CST

This period we are in, this time of crisis, it reminds me so much of the mid 70’s. War, gas and fuel crisis, global pessimism, apathy, then came the stagnant economy, then came inflation, and then came a way out.

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US Needs to Regain Faith in the Future