"The European Dream"

OK, Schmoliticians (you know who you are!) for March I propose we read The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream. From Publishers Weekly:

Why are so few Americans paying attention to the dramatic changes taking place across the Atlantic, Rifkin (The End of Work) asks in his provocative and well-argued manifesto for the new European Union. Famously, Americans "live to work" while Europeans "work to live," and Rifkin demonstrates statistically and anecdotally that Europe's humane approach to capitalism makes for a healthier, better-educated populace. The U.S. lags behind in its unimaginative approach to working hours, productivity and technology, Rifkin claims, while Europe is leading the way into a new era while competing well in terms of productivity. Rifkin traces the cultural roots of what he says is America's lack of vision to its emphasis on individual autonomy and the accumulation of wealth; Europe's dream is more rooted in connectedness and quality of life.... Rifkin's comparative study is scrupulously thorough and informative, and his rigor will please all readers interested in the future of world affairs.