Reenchanted economics: The American dream

OPINION:

As a Frenchman in Paris recently pointed out to me, “There is no French dream, or for any other country. The only country with a dream is America, and the whole world wants that dream.”

The American dream of working hard and creating a life for your family is anchored in the idea of a society that fosters human flourishing. It is a dream that resonates with all of humanity because we all desire a better life, and we all intuitively understand the connection between hard work, integrity and prosperity.

The problem is that the dream is an ideal and cannot be fully achieved this side of heaven because only God can establish complete unity and peace when he comes again. Until that day, we must strive to create a society that is as close to that ideal as possible. Only a well-governed country with the rule of law, private property rights, free speech and freedom of religion can come close to that dream. This is what the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics is committed to pursuing.

Volunteering in Haiti in the 1990s was the first time this need became clear for me. I saw great natural resources, wonderful people who were frustrated, and a beautiful island with untapped potential. Many young people had dreams of coming to the United States for college and returning to make Haiti better.

But the longer we talked, the more I understood: The main thing undermining honest endeavors in that country was the corrupt government. With no moral or spiritual foundation, the best business plans were doomed to fail, and Haitians accepted a hopelessness commensurate with the level of corruption in the government. As the movie “Poverty, Inc.” demonstrated, and as President Bill Clinton stated in that film, endless international donations only made things worse.

Two things are necessary to revitalize the American dream.

First, we must establish a new version of this dream that inspires all Americans and unites us. We cannot afford to keep demonizing people with whom we disagree. Hatred and scorn never give birth to unity. Hating your fellow American never produces justice or hope.

Second, we must ensure our government provides opportunities for all citizens to achieve that dream.

Only a country that protects creative rights for artists and inventors can foster the cultural impact that American technology and entertainment enjoy. Copyrights, trademarks and legal protections are essential aspects of private property laws that have built the foundation for the American dream. These laws work because they echo the eternal laws of God, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), where we are forbidden from coveting and stealing. Everyone must be treated with dignity, just like the creative products they generate. This moral fabric of respect for our fellow man is the sine qua non of economic vitality.

Fortunately, the dream is still alive. People are still finding their way out of poverty and building a life they could never have built elsewhere, from Oprah creating her media empire, to Howard Schultz building Starbucks, to Dr. Dre with his Beats brand. Or consider Ralph Lauren, who came from an immigrant family with very little money, yet he created a lifestyle fashion brand that celebrates the American dream and built a company worth over $18 billion.

But dreams are not enough. America will never be perfect, and the American dream will never be perfectly realized, because people are not perfect. Just as individuals must repent of wrongdoing and change course, so must our country. This is our history and our legacy. From ending slavery and giving equal rights to women, to addressing the current crisis of depression in our children, we must be willing to admit our faults, repent and to change course.

Over 60 years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. called us to dream. He painted a picture that stirred our hearts and transformed the nation. As a pastor, he confronted us with truths from God’s word, and it was compelling precisely for that reason. The Bible exposes our hearts and calls us to repent and forgive so that we might experience deeper unity on the other side. Like the old Jewish song based upon Psalm 133 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

Economics is driven by the story we tell ourselves. We know we need just laws, fair economic policies and free speech. But what guarantees them? Only a moral conviction that inspires us to respect one another, which requires a spiritual foundation to keep us both humble and optimistic.

We desperately need the spiritual vigor and vision of Dr. King. We also need the Judeo-Christian hope and wisdom of our founders. If the American dream continues, it will be because we continue to build on these pillars while facing new challenges with humility and love for one another.

• Joel Pelsue, MDiv, serves as the vice president of strategic initiatives for the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics. He is also the founder and president of Arts and Entertainment Ministries in Los Angeles, CA.