Frontier Myths and Realities

I found S. Ilan Troen's article, Frontier Myths and Their Applications in America and Israel: A Transnational Perspective, to be enlightening. By comparing our American history of land division and ownership (based on Thomas Jefferson's yeomen farmer and a firm belief in the positive abilities of capitalism) with Israel's history of strictly communal land settlement and civil planning.

Troen argues that the differences lies in the two nations' fundamental ideals. American property ownership is based on the belief in individualism and the right to the "pursuit of happiness." Israeli property is owned by the government, which rents this property out to its citizens in the fashion most in accordance with the "common Jewish good."

Citizens from both countries are deeply unsatisfied with the outcomes of both governmental systems. American critics complain of their "pioneer inheritance of exploitation" and its destruction of the environment and community. They see capitalism as a system which is better for the growth of business than the sustainability of culture. Israeli critics of Zionist collectivism complain that it results in national neglect of the individual and the culture of the self. Israelis who are not Jewish are unhappy that their efforts go toward the betterment of the Jewish State, which they do not believe is looking out for their interests.

Both countries also boast strong proponents of their current economic and property systems. Proponents of American capitalism point to their system's material successes and its speedy economic growth, while proponents of Israeli socialism point to their esteemed city planning and Jewish cultural unity.

Perhaps within both systems unhappiness and longing for the other known way of doing things are products of "the grass is always greener" syndrome. Or feelings of unrest may be symptoms of the failure of both systems to meet the needs of their citizens, calling to question what sorts of governmental involvements in the economy and property systems are agreeable. Will citizens of a state ever be able to agree on such systems?