<p>Second off, its true that despite the economic gains made by Asian countries, there is still a lack in the soft qualities that has made America extraordinarily successful, most notably creative enterprise.</p>
<p>I would like to point out though that this does not make American culture creative in and of itself. Its so called creativity has more to do with its economic processes than any intrinsic quality that happens to be more prevalent in its people. Capitalism is driven by competition, meaning that people will be working hard to find ways that are newer, better, more effective, useful, and attractive to potential customers. This process naturally breeds creativity. </p>
<p>Recall that for a while, mostly in the Industrial Revolution, much of Western industries were NOT based on creativity. They were based on labor, production numbers, the hard rigid factors. Yet because of the nature of capitalism, the need to find newer, better, more effective, and useful, the economy gradually transformed (if my memory of business class serves right) from one that was production/industry based to one that is market-based. The question is no longer about how much you can produce, because people mastered that, but how your products can best serve your customers and how to sell your products in a way that communicates such. Such a challenge naturally demands creativity, and is not exclusive of Asian cultures. Case in point. Look at Japan an Asian culture. Can you say that they are not creative or inventive? The Japanese make the best quality cars in the world. Theres an Asian country for you that HAVE used creativity to drive their economy to the top. </p>
<p>It is also worth noting that capitalism has a direct correlation to democracy. Because of the capitalist nature of Western economies, economic opportunity was created for people. Economic opportunity leads to economic freedom, which leads to the ability to demand political freedom. All the freedom of thought and action thats associated with Western cultures were not always present and again its been the economic process of capitalism thats helped the freedom evolve. </p>
<p>So at least in modern history, Westerners have found the way that works, and the way that incorporates much creativity, freedom, and other qualities which you listed. Yet recall that in earlier eras of history, Eastern civilizations have been the most powerful. So whos to say that the swing of the pendulum wont head that way again?</p>