America is the only nation on earth founded on a belief in generosity!
Amazing but true! The Declaration of Independence asserts that all citizens are equals, with equal rights and responsibilities. While far from a reality, these ideals require generosity by and to ALL fellow citizens. We guarantee freedom to each other. This is NOT the job of the government! Any failure to support the needs of a fellow citizen can lead to a failure of support when YOU are in need! Failure weakens the very system of democracy. See Claire’s Big Four American Documents on Generosity.
I have a set of favorite texts from American history that define this obligation to generosity. You can find them here: Texts that Define American Generosity.
American prosperity is created by three sectors
But not the three parts, executive-judicial-legislative, that you though! Our prosperity results from the work of: 1) private industry based on capitalism, 2) our government of elected officials, AND 3) our unique ‘not-for-profit’ sector created by citizens practicing their obligations to generosity. No other nation in the world has such a robust system dedicated to creating SOCIAL PROFIT, that is increase in the general well-being of the collective citizenry. You can read my ideas about social profit here.
America has created an entire enterprise segment based on serving the needs of fellow citizens. Just as capitalism enables entrepreneurs to create new goods and services, and profit themselves and their investors, social entrepreneurs create social profit. They reward their investors (generous people putting in time and skills and money) with increases in the well-being of individuals and communities.
David and I wrote a book about this sector called Daughters of the Declaration. We argued that women entrepreneurs were the primary creators of this system.
Americans takes generosity SERIOUSLY!
Americans donate almost half a trillion dollars every year to benefit the greater good of individuals and communities. But there is much more to generosity than dollars. Countless volunteer community groups support churches, hospitals, colleges, veterans, local theater, parks, animal shelters, , and on and on. No other nation takes generosity this seriously! I sought to fulfill my citizenship obligations to my community through volunteer work while leading Connecticut College. It didn’t always go smoothly!
