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You're getting a bunch of replies about different interpretations of the "American Dream" - interpretations that are not at all consistent with either the mains
by ravitation 5y ago
You're getting a bunch of replies about different interpretations of the "American Dream" - interpretations that are not at all consistent with either the mainstream concept or the historical one.
Typically the "American Dream" has been centrally about freedom of opportunity, independent of social class or circumstances of birth, and the resulting possibility for upward social mobility through hard work (e.g. America as the Land of Opportunity). I think it's quite hard to argue that the United States is a leader in this category in the same way that it was 50 or 100 years ago.
- actusual 5y agoWho would be in first here? As an aside (mostly to add some perspective around Scandinavian comments), my Swedish friend moved to America and became a citizen exactly for this version of the American dream. As far as he's concerned, it's FAR more difficult to become wealthy in Sweden.
- ravitation 5y agoWell, the main issue here is social mobility - most importantly escaping poverty and becoming middle class (and also not falling back into poverty), not just becoming wealthy. As has been stated elsewhere in these comments, there is enormous selection bias regarding those that choose to immigrate to the US from other developed countries in an effort to "become wealthy." With this in mind, generally speaking the US does not do particularly well on social mobility in relation to most other developed country, this includes the Scandinavian countries, the other anglophone countries, and western/central European countries... And, honestly, it really should surprise no one that social programs (including things like high quality public/affordable education and universal healthcare) improve social mobility for the poorer half of society.