Around the globe people are desperately seeking to have what is known as the American lifestyle. They are willing to commit themselves to chasing after this so-called "American Dream." Countries that are struggling to barely maintain their position in the global race see America as the ideal for what "comfortable living" should be. It is interesting to note that while Americans know that they are in the one of the wealthiest nations on the face of this planet, they are dissatisfied with what they have and find themselves constantly desiring more. This makes it almost impossible for countries much lower on the scale of wealth to keep up, and in spite of this they still strive to meet this standard. The question is why do these other countries feel as though the American way of living is a model for their own quality of living? The problem is convergence, which simply means that people around the world people believe the American lifestyle is the highest quality of life they could ever hope to attain.
Countries that are so adamant about this would include developing countries that want to be modernized. Asian cultures, such as China, find America to be the epitome of success. Other countries such as Japan, however, see American culture as an ordinary everyday part of life. The truth of the matter is that if other countries were really aware of the amount of water use and carbon production this country is responsible as well the level of excessive consumerism, they would probably think twice about aspiring to be like this place. An American lifestyle is one lived in wastefulness and fear; we do not realize what we have until its all gone and then find ourselves cowering to find solutions. Countries that have next to nothing don't have these worries because if they lost everything it really wouldn't make much of a difference as opposed to Americans who would just lose their minds at the very thought.
So why do other countries see America as a mirror of what they would like their own country to emulate? They see America as a country that is secure and firm in what they have. They see opportunities blooming left, right, and center, and all this just in comparison to what they currently have. Instead of breaking the mold and simply using the American lifestyle as a footstool for a completely new way of living they find comfort in reaching this level and remaining where they think they've found the absolute best. On the contrary these countries that want to follow in America's footstep provide some valid reasons why they feel American society provides and fosters a more successful environment. Our educational system is much different from foreign ones and it could be that this difference permits our students to excel better than those in areas where education is valued but not easily accessed. Also our capitalistic system, before our current economic situation, proved to be effective in maintaining economic stability. Our technological advancements have also placed us on a different level of efficiency and productivity. The problem with convergence, however, is that once these other countries reach their goal they lose what makes their culture unique, all in an attempt to be included in what is considered the modern world. Americans have a certain quality of living but it doesn't mean it is the best quality of life. We provide opportunities, benefits, and freedoms that most countries do not but at the same time we have so many ignored problems that never get addressed, and despite all the knowledge we are supposed to have there still aren't solutions. Convergence include multiple facets that could deem it either a positive or negative thing but I feel that there isn't one country, on this earth at least, that can be considered a model country to follow.
Countries that are so adamant about this would include developing countries that want to be modernized. Asian cultures, such as China, find America to be the epitome of success. Other countries such as Japan, however, see American culture as an ordinary everyday part of life. The truth of the matter is that if other countries were really aware of the amount of water use and carbon production this country is responsible as well the level of excessive consumerism, they would probably think twice about aspiring to be like this place. An American lifestyle is one lived in wastefulness and fear; we do not realize what we have until its all gone and then find ourselves cowering to find solutions. Countries that have next to nothing don't have these worries because if they lost everything it really wouldn't make much of a difference as opposed to Americans who would just lose their minds at the very thought.
So why do other countries see America as a mirror of what they would like their own country to emulate? They see America as a country that is secure and firm in what they have. They see opportunities blooming left, right, and center, and all this just in comparison to what they currently have. Instead of breaking the mold and simply using the American lifestyle as a footstool for a completely new way of living they find comfort in reaching this level and remaining where they think they've found the absolute best. On the contrary these countries that want to follow in America's footstep provide some valid reasons why they feel American society provides and fosters a more successful environment. Our educational system is much different from foreign ones and it could be that this difference permits our students to excel better than those in areas where education is valued but not easily accessed. Also our capitalistic system, before our current economic situation, proved to be effective in maintaining economic stability. Our technological advancements have also placed us on a different level of efficiency and productivity. The problem with convergence, however, is that once these other countries reach their goal they lose what makes their culture unique, all in an attempt to be included in what is considered the modern world. Americans have a certain quality of living but it doesn't mean it is the best quality of life. We provide opportunities, benefits, and freedoms that most countries do not but at the same time we have so many ignored problems that never get addressed, and despite all the knowledge we are supposed to have there still aren't solutions. Convergence include multiple facets that could deem it either a positive or negative thing but I feel that there isn't one country, on this earth at least, that can be considered a model country to follow.
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