From Singapore, and originally written in Chinese, comes this short history of American consumerism, and all the good it has done for the world, which takes a rather appreciative, if unusual, perspective:
Though the concept of American consumers driving the global economy is getting old and becoming unsustainable, it has been in force successfully for the past 60 years and had solved the poverty problem for many countries. The more developed economies in East Asia and the 1.3 billion population in China have especially benefited much from it. Perhaps critics should not be passing unfair judgment during a crisis while benefiting from the U.S. economy at the same time.
Robin Koerner is a British-born citizen of the USA, who currently serves as Academic Dean of the John Locke Institute. He holds graduate degrees in both Physics and the Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge (U.K.). He is also the founder of WatchingAmerica.com, an organization of over 100 volunteers that translates and posts in English views about the USA from all over the world.
Robin may be best known for having coined the term “Blue Republican” to refer to liberals and independents who joined the GOP to support Ron Paul’s bid for the presidency in 2012 (and, in so doing, launching the largest coalition that existed for that candidate).
Robin’s current work as a trainer and a consultant, and his book If You Can Keep It , focus on overcoming distrust and bridging ideological division to improve politics and lives. His current project, Humilitarian, promotes humility and civility as a basis for improved political discourse and outcomes.