*Visions from San Francisco Bay*
European and American capitalism were different. The violence of human clashes in America took place on the surface, in the open. The violence in Europe became formalized, coalesced with class divions hallowed by centuries; it was interiorized, ingrained, or baked in, if one may use such an expression. American capitalism was founded on daring, resourcefulness, […] The post *Visions from San…
European and American approaches to capitalism differed significantly, according to Czeslaw Milosz in his work Visions from San Francisco Bay. In America, capitalism was characterized by boldness, adaptability, generosity, and waste, while in Europe, it was marked by miserliness. This disparity played a crucial role in the development of American universities, research institutes, and laboratories, which have attracted billions in investments.
In contrast, Western Europe, where education had always been restricted to a select few, struggled to establish such institutions. The excessiveness of private capital in America laid the groundwork, with subsequent government funding helping to solidify these foundations. Milosz suggests that the trend towards increased government expenditure in America may struggle to close the growing gap created by Europe's conservative approach to capital.
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