Final answer:
President Reagan's speech centers on the assertion that democracy fosters prosperity, using West Berlin's revival and economic success as a testament to the benefits of freedom over communism.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Reagan's main message in this excerpt from his "Tear Down This Wall" speech is that democracy, embodied in the concept of freedom, leads to prosperity and advancement over communism. He contrasts the thriving condition of West Berlin, under a democratic system, with the deprivation and stagnation of the Communist states. Reagan connects the success and reconstruction of West Berlin with the virtues of freedom, attributing the economic and cultural growth to the political system that champions liberty.
Reagan cites the remarkable recovery of West Berlin from the ruins of World War II, emphasizing how freedom has allowed for a revival in industrial output, culture, and living conditions. Meanwhile, he addresses the shortcomings of the Communist world, including technological backwardness and basic shortages, as seen in the Soviet Union's inability to feed itself.
The speech was a powerful advocacy for the democratic system over communism during the Cold War era, highlighting the tangible benefits that freedom can provide to nations and their people.