Our best arguments are not that attractive. We have to say these rich times will not last long (why not, you looser pessimist?!), the wealth of the few costs much misery to others (surely not more than with socialisms), and our best projects are forgotten (what, those dying Scandinavian models?!). It is not that easy for average minds to realize that limited resources will most likely turn out irreplaceable, power gap manipulates fairness, or that you can be just happy with a well assured health care and secured work prospects.
"Most" being people who have never actually seen the appalling inequality of the US. And you don't have to go too far to see it: just drive from Palm Springs to Laguna Beach along the California "scenic" route 74 and compare Lake Elsinore, Hemet and Perris with Palm Desert and Orange County.
Then take the Metrolink from Riverside to LA Union Station, walk around downtown, and then ride a bus or walk down Wilshire Boulevard.
I'm sure people can bring up other examples from other states. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
I am reminded of a train trip with three German girls as co-passengers a few years back. They were totally sold on the then current Germany-is-toast moaning in the media. Even while they had rather good lives, with holidays all around the globe. And two of them have been to the USA, and talked about how much better it is in fawning voices. Of course, they have been to the more affluent suburbs where parents applied for exchange student programs or European au-pairs (one of them in Texas I remember), and that's the only part of teir memories they based their overall judgement upon.
Meanwhile, they thought Americans are boorish. So two opposed stereotypes can happily go hand-in-hand. *Traitor*, n. A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
Now, there is much in building an ecologically sustainable society that offers opportunities to re-integrate those left behind by mass media society into actual communities within that society ... and substantial opportunity in building an ecologically sustainable economy to build in a guarantee that everyone has a right to participate in the material provisioning of society.
Indeed, a right to participate through work can join a right to participate in decision making and a right to participate in the fruits of social activity as a foundation that those presently left behind could find very appealing. Utsukushikereba sore de ii
