I think it is more "looking in the rear view mirror" of history as to what works and what does not work. For instance, our Founders had a good look at Totalitarianism, Monarchs with their fuedal systems, and such movements as the French Revolution (the reign of Terror - which turned into nothing more than unbridled jealousy and a murderous mob). They formed our country a lot on what to avoid. We can do the same. We can look at all that, plus we get to view the sytems of Fascism, the Nazi regime, the Marxist bred regimes of Communism, and the current democratic hybrid Democratic Socialist regimes. We can see which worked and which did not. Capitalism, it can be pointed out, has faults, but that is due more to the "nature of man" than the mechanisms to create a higher standard of living for the greater majority of people. I don't think it is as much "make it like my world view" as it is "make a wise choice from observing historical patterns and results. All political systems are subject to the "nature of man", and there is no true altruistic and benevolent form of government on earth period. So, let's make the wisest choices we can make. In our current world, Communism and Socialism have not worked well in history no matter where it has been implemented. To say, "We just haven't done it right" is being like an ostrich with its head in the sand" - they don't work - they destroy personal incentive, worth and the feeling of accomplishment. We you make the individual a subservient member of the state (you can call it the "greater good" if you want but its the same thing - study closely the French Revolution and its founders and look at the fruit on the tree), but we lose the incentive to achieve and achieve greatly and it breeds mediocrity and complacency. So, let's march on and "keep the faith so to speak".