The United States was an economic model... it started as a colony. Taxation was a major basis for the revolution; ie. the main impetus was selfishness (we're being taxed, this doesn't benefit us at all). That the founders were prescient enough to base the Constitution on desirable social values doesn't lessen that any. But more to the point, the US didn't become a viable separate society until it was economically stable.Emphasis mine; all mine.. Sorry But.. that won't work as an ancillary throw-away line. It may be so (or at least an adequate posit) that *without* Some sound economic basis: the rest which makes what we call a 'society' work - will be unlikely of survival, except when small, isolated or [n+1 other conditions].
I'd opine that, however 'efficient' might seem Capitalism; those who will risk their lives "for the US" are thinking a lot more of your throwaway line than: the joys of perpetual credit / how wonderfully the nation's wealth is apportioned or, much else we call Econ. and yes, worship.
You simply cannot separate-out the intangibles, however much logic loves to enumerate everything to do with humans. I think that's bad math; I know its lousy psych. Nobody volunteers to die for an expected nice ROI.
Ashton