Americans are Lockeans: recognizing that work is necessary and will produce well-being; following their natural inclinations moderately because their passions are balanced; respecting the rights of others so that theirs will be respected; obeing the law because they made it in their own interest. From the point of view of God or heroes, all this is not very inspiring. But for the poor, the weak, the oppressed, it is the promise of salvation. As Leo Strauss put it, the moderns "built on low but solid ground."
Allan Bloom