Were You Born on the Wrong Continent? by Thomas Geoghegan Summary

Were You Born on the Wrong Continent? critiques American capitalism by advocating for Europe’s social democracy model, particularly Germany’s high-wage, worker-centric economy. Author Thomas Geoghegan contrasts Europe’s robust social safety nets—free education, universal healthcare, and subsidized childcare—with U.S. inequality, arguing that Europe better supports middle-class professionals through collective bargaining and public investment in key sectors like manufacturing.

This book suits policymakers, labor advocates, and readers interested in comparative economics. Geoghegan’s blend of personal anecdotes (e.g., encounters with subsidized artists in Paris) and data-driven analysis appeals to those exploring alternatives to U.S.-style capitalism, particularly Germany’s success in reducing unemployment through worker-friendly policies.

Geoghegan highlights five pillars of European social democracy: education, healthcare, retirement, childcare, and transportation. He praises Germany’s focus on high-end manufacturing over wage suppression, arguing this approach sustains living standards while maintaining global competitiveness. The book also critiques America’s “monolingual, provincial culture” for undervaluing these systems.

Germany avoids wage competition with low-cost economies by specializing in premium manufacturing (e.g., machinery, chemicals). Unlike the U.S., German unions collaborate with corporations and governments to ensure high wages, worker training, and job security. Geoghegan attributes Germany’s post-1990s unemployment drop to this “social democracy in action.”

Geoghegan argues the U.S. prioritizes corporate profits over public goods, leaving professionals to self-fund education, healthcare, and retirement. He contrasts this with Europe’s “joyful” quality of life, where state support allows careers in arts and sciences without financial precarity.

Yes. Geoghegan acknowledges struggles in Europe’s periphery (e.g., Greece, Ireland) but distinguishes them from core economies like Germany. He defends high taxes as investments in public infrastructure and rejects claims that union power stifles innovation, citing Germany’s export dominance.

German co-determination laws, which embed worker representatives in corporate boards, ensure labor interests shape economic decisions. Geoghegan contrasts this with U.S. union decline, arguing worker participation prevents exploitative practices and aligns corporate goals with societal well-being.

As a labor lawyer, Geoghegan draws on cases defending unions and pension rights. His courtroom experience informs critiques of U.S. labor law’s inadequacies and admiration for Europe’s legally enshrined worker protections.

He contrasts Europe’s multilingualism and subsidized arts with America’s “provincial” focus on consumerism. For example, he describes Parisian drummers funded by public grants and Germany’s thriving print media culture as evidence of Europe’s commitment to cultural enrichment.

Yes. Debates over healthcare, income inequality, and union resurgence in the U.S. mirror Geoghegan’s arguments. The book remains a touchstone for discussions on balancing free markets with social welfare—a key issue in post-pandemic policymaking.

Unlike his labor-focused Which Side Are You On?, this book blends memoir, economics, and travelogue. However, it shares his advocacy for collective bargaining and skepticism of unfettered capitalism, themes central to his writing career.

• “Europe is set up for the bourgeois; America’s a great place to buy kitty litter at Wal-Mart.”
• “The quicker we let go of ‘American exceptionalism,’ the sooner we can rebuild a fairer society.”

These lines underscore Geoghegan’s belief that Europe’s model offers blueprints for U.S. reform.