Essay: Is America #1?

 

            America is often nicknamed, “the land of opportunity.”  People from all over the world come to America to seek fame, fortune, glory, or at least a better life than they were accustomed to in their home countries.  The reason why America has the opportunities that other countries lack is because of the freedom that the government allows to the people of America.  Anyone could start a business and enjoy the fruits of a true American dream.  This entrepreneurship is what fuels America’s economy and is what keeps the lives of Americans comfortable.  The government makes it easier for people to start up a business, which in turn creates more jobs for ordinary citizens.  This helps lower the unemployment rate and raise the standard of living in this country.  However, America isn’t the only country to figure out the secret of economic success.  The government of Hong Kong has done a wonderful job in creating a city that thrives on innovation and free enterprise. 

            Hong Kong is another, less recognized beacon of liberty in the world because it offers even easier ways to start a business and lead a happy life.  The government of Hong Kong is able to maintain such a successful city by, in fact, doing next to nothing at all.  The restrictions on businesses in Hong Kong are some of the loosest in the world.  While in America it could possibly take weeks to set up a business, in Hong Kong people have the ability to create a new business in a single day.  This is opportunity that could easily measure up to America’s, if it is not even greater.  America has much more regulations that are meant to protect the entrepreneur, but this adds more time to the opening of the business.  America also puts heavier taxes on new businesses, which discourages people from starting them.  In Hong Kong, regulations are minimal and so are the taxes.  The government only takes 17.5% of taxes out of a new business.  With the lack of regulations put in place blocking new businesses, people have more inspiration to start something new.  The people of Hong Kong are always open to new ideas and so change and innovation is the standard there.  When a country is unable and unwilling to adapt to change, their economy becomes stagnant.  Hong Kong as well as America have realized this and are always open to changes and advances in every aspect of the world.

            Change and innovation are important factors in the making of a prospering economy, and are only fully achievable through the true, complete freedom of the people of a nation.  In countries such as India, as well as in most European countries, change is not seen as good.  These countries have been around for thousands of years, and tradition is what matters in the minds of their leaders.  For this reason, new products and ideas are not easily welcomed.  Governments of these countries are reluctant to allow the public to be free to introduce new items into the market because this could be detrimental to the tradition of the country.  In sacrificing innovation for tradition, these countries are in fact sacrificing their nation’s integrity, as well.  Without change, a country will never be able to conform to the wants and needs of human beings, and without satisfying their people a nation can never be great.  In America as well as Hong Kong, change is not only allowed, it is embraced and encouraged.  These governments give their people the complete freedom to make changes in their environment by adding new products and services to the market. Without restrictions on innovation, the people of America and Hong Kong are able to thrive and prosper.  America and Hong Kong are both relatively young, and so they have no traditions to worry them.  The only tradition they might have is the tradition of complete liberty.  Liberty is the key factor in having a prosperous economy.  Without freedom there is no change and a poor economy, which are not the traits of a great, powerful country.  Freedom does not necessarily have to mean democracy.  Freedom could mean benign neglect, a system that Hong Kong was under for many years when they were ruled by the British.  The British set up basic laws against cruelties such as murder and theft, but let the people of Hong Kong have basically total freedom.  The people of Hong Kong embraced this freedom and let it take them to new heights as a city.  From a poor, humble village, Hong Kong has risen to a bustling capitalist city, bursting with rich, successful people.  This transformation is a direct result of the freedom that they experienced.  Without the liberty the British bestowed upon them, the people of Hong Kong would never have been able to start businesses and push their economy forward.  When the British left Hong Kong, the new government continued the policy of benign neglect, and Hong Kong has continued to grow in population and wealth ever since.  Of course, freedom can be seen in America just as well, and as America continues its legacy of liberty, it in turn continues to grow and prosper at an alarming rate. 

            Hong Kong, because of its freedom and innovation, has become a hugely wealthy and prominent city in the world.  Its lack of regulations on trade has blossomed into opportunities for all who seek them.  Many are flocking to Hong Kong to start businesses of their own, and they travel from all over the world to find the freedom that Hong Kong offers where their home countries do not.  If Hong Kong continues on the path that it is following, it is probable that it could become a great power.  Hong Kong’s present success is only the beginning.  With the help of freedom for its people, Hong Kong will continue to stand next to America as one of the top sources of innovation and wealth in the world.