The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

Can we sustainPROSPERITYW. A. PATONTHOUGHTFUL contemplation of thecurrent scene, supplemented withsome scanning of the historicalrecord, is likely to set the observerto wondering if any nation is capableof achieving and maintaininga broadly affluent society. Toilingup the slope, overcoming obstaclesand adversity, human beingsoften display courage, resourcefulness,endurance, tenacity,ability to cope and continue climbing,but when they reach the topof the hill, have it made, manyseem to have a tendency to shedtheir heroic trappings and becomeconfused, disorderly, unenterprising,and - in some cases- downrightshiftless and dependent.The cycle of great progress fol-Dr. Paton is Professor Emeritus of Accountingand of Economics, University of Michigan,and is known throughout the world for hisoutstanding work in these fields. His currentcomments on American attitudes and behaviorare worthy of everyone's attention.lowed by decline seems to be in theprocess of striking illustrationhere in America. As to the fact ofan astonishing advance there canbe no question. In two centuries,roughly, the United States hasmoved from a scattering of settlements,loosely affiliated, along oureastern seaboard to a countrystretching across a continent, andrecognized as a major world power.In this period, too, a primitivetechnology has been transformedinto a productive mechanism placingus in a forefront industrial position,with a· per-capita. standardof living that is unmatched, anywhere.In this· process hardshipsand difficulties were encounteredby our forefathers that looked insurmountableat times, and thatwere mastered only by an amazingdisplay of determination and fortitudeon the part of many individualsand families. The commitment33