[f154hfds]

I don't know why no one disagreeing with you will engage. Human ingenuity is forged in fire. You don't build muscle without discomfort. You can't have children without sacrifice. I personally don't think the lack of a welfare state is a huge factor in American universities (I tend to think immigration is a much bigger factor), partially because the US has a huge safety net and every year it grows [1].

Philosophically this is a tough one: take away the welfare state and you remove the floor of human suffering. Add the welfare state and you remove the drive to succeed (from most individuals, there will always be some who disregard all contrary incentives).

[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-announce-student-loan-...

[anon291]

> I don't know why no one disagreeing with you will engage.

It's a common problem on HN; very used to it at this point.

I do agree that immigration plays a part as well, but immigration is also driven by pre-existing differences. The US must have done something that made so many migrants want to study here over other countries, and I think this is because American universities have been good for a very long time.

EDIT: Sorry you're being downvoted too. What a strange world.