Posted on 07/31/2009 12:17:15 PM PDT by bs9021
The Israel Test
by: Alana Goodman, July 31, 2009
How do you view the material success of others? Do you see it as a product of classist exploitation—a selfish triumph that one attains at the expense of his neighbors—or do you see it as an inspiring achievement that enriches the community as a whole?
If you chose the latter, then you have passed “The Israel Test,” the title of a new book by David Gilder that examines the fundamental differences in how cultures view achievement. “The essence of the Israel test [is to] avoid envy and give way to admiration and emulation,” said Gilder at an American Enterprise Institute discussion of his book on July 28th.
“The world is dividing into those who see others as victims and those who still think human achievement is to be celebrated,” said AEI scholar Charles Murray, citing Israel and the United States as two of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world.
Gilder argued that much of the success of the U.S. and Israel is due to the innovation of the Jewish people, stating that “almost all of the major scientific achievements of the 20th Century were accomplished by Jews.”
For a country that is only 60 years old and boasts a population that is smaller than New York City, the extent of Israel’s success has been unprecedented. The 2008-2009 World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index Report ranked Israel first in the world for research and development investments and 2nd for venture capital availability.
Many of the popular technologies that we use today were invented in Israel....
(Excerpt) Read more at campusreportonline.net ...
I think these are trying times for Israel, and thankfully they have a man like Netenyahu there. Unfortunately, we have a president and SOS that is totally clueless with regards to the advantages of having this ally.
Why is Israel important?
Because they are the only civilized society in the region.
So?
How does them being civilized make them so important to us?
You don’t do too well with “perspective.,” do you?
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