Being on the frontier, as I've said, required doing rather than imagining: clearing land, building shelter, obtaining food supplies. Frontiers test ideologies like nothing else. There is no time for the theoretical. That, ultimately, is why America has not been friendly to communism, fascism, or other, more benign forms of utopianism. Idealized concepts have rarely taken firm root in America, and so intellectuals have had to look to Europe for inspiration. People here are too busy making money - an extension, of course, of the frontier ethos, with its emphasis on practical initiative.
The concept of being on the frontier emphasizes the necessity of action over mere speculation. This involves practical tasks like land clearing, shelter building, and food sourcing. In such environments, ideologies are rigorously tested, leaving little room for abstract thought. This grounded approach explains America's historical resistance to ideologies like communism and fascism, as the culture tends to prioritize practicality over idealism.
As Kaplan points out, the American focus on real-world activities has led intellectuals to seek inspiration from European ideologies rather than developing their own utopian frameworks. The prevailing attitude favors a strong work ethic and financial success, deeply rooted in the frontier mentality, which values tangible results and initiative over theoretical discussions.