Rifkin contends the European Union could one day become a true economic rival of the United States of America.The European Dream:How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream is a book,by Jeremy Rifkin,published in September 2004.Rifkin describes the emergence and evolution of the European Union over the past five decades,as well as key differences between European and American values.He argues that the European Union,which he describes as the first truly postmodern governing body,has the potential to become a world superpower.
According to Rifkin,the "European Dream",which champions communalism,sustainability,and human rights over property rights and radical individualism,is better-suited to 21st century challenges than the "American dream" of personal fortune,which may be obsolete.
Rifkin explains Europe's opposition to the death penalty in a historical context; after losing so many lives to wars in the early and mid-20th century,Europe is opposed to state-sponsored killing as a matter of principle.He also discusses the European commitment to "deep play",a notion which is absent in the United States.