Changes

The '''American Dream''' is the easy availability of upward mobility for Americans. It means an open society with a general upward trend in social status for the majority of citizens and their descendants. This contrasts with a tightly-structured society in which the status of one's ancestors determines one's life chances, or in which government planners make all major social choices (see [[Socialism]]).  The undermining of the American dream is an unspoken goal of [[Leftists]], but they have not yet succeeded.<ref>David Brooks (a conservative) and Gail Collins (a liberal), debate "Is the American Dream Over?," [http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/is-the-american-dream-over/?ref=opinion ''New York Times'' Dec. 9, 2009]</ref>

The '''American Dream''' is the easy availability of upward mobility for [[American]]s, and a key [[conservative]] principle. It means an open society with a general upward trend in social status for the majority of citizens and their descendants. This contrasts with a tightly-structured society in which the status of one's ancestors determines one's life chances, or in which government planners make all major social choices (see [[Socialism]]).  The undermining of the American dream is an unspoken goal of [[Leftists]], but they have not yet succeeded.<ref>David Brooks (a conservative) and Gail Collins (a liberal), debate "Is the American Dream Over?," [http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/is-the-american-dream-over/?ref=opinion ''New York Times'' Dec. 9, 2009]</ref> Famous American literature embodying or referring to the American Dream includes ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'' and ''[[Of Mice and Men]]''.

From the 1950s through 1980s, a central part of the American Dream for teenage boys and young men was to work and purchase an automobile such as a [[muscle car]], then date a girl with it, get married, and have a family.  The emasculation of culture has undermined that salutary dynamic.

From the 1950s through 1980s, a central part of the American Dream for teenage boys and young men was to work and purchase an automobile such as a [[muscle car]], then date a girl with it, get married, and have a family.  The emasculation of culture has undermined that salutary dynamic.  A fundamental difference between [[liberal]]s and [[conservative]]s is that the former opposes and dislikes the American Dream, while the latter welcomes and encourages it.

Some [[conservative]] politicians campaign for office on the American Dream.  "I'm a kid from a small town in Georgia who lived the American Dream, and I'm ready to fight to keep that dream alive for you too," [[Herschel Walker]] said in a campaign ad in September 2021.

Some [[conservative]] politicians campaign for office on the American Dream.  "I'm a kid from a small town in [[Georgia]] who lived the American Dream, and I'm ready to fight to keep that dream alive for you too," [[Herschel Walker]] said in a campaign ad in September 2021.

==Origins of the phrase==

==Origins of the phrase==

===1996 Election===

===1996 Election===

The theme of the 1996 Republican convention was 'Restoring the American Dream,' and convention speeches were filled with American Dream imagery. Dole's own speech stressed individualism over collectivism and called for a broad, even multicultural, interpretation of the American Dream. In their acceptance speeches, Democrats have traditionally focused on the importance of community and society while Republicans have increasingly emphasized individual struggle. In 1996, the nomination acceptance speeches of Dole's opponents, Clinton and particularly Perot, borrowed from the Republican vision of individualism and personal responsibility which first gained popularity with the [[Ronald Reagan]] presidency of the 1980s. The persistence of American Dream imagery in the speeches of party nominees since the 1960s shows the confidence politicians place in its appeal. The presidential candidates who have best articulated the country's visions and values have been victorious.<ref>Ray D. Dearin, "The American Dream as Depicted in Robert J. Dole's 1996 Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech," ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1997 27(4): 698-713,</ref>

The theme of the 1996 Republican convention was 'Restoring the American Dream,' and convention speeches were filled with American Dream imagery. Dole's own speech stressed individualism over collectivism and called for a broad, even multicultural, interpretation of the American Dream. In their acceptance speeches, Democrats have traditionally focused on the importance of community and society while Republicans have increasingly emphasized individual struggle. In 1996, the nomination acceptance speeches of Dole's opponents, Clinton and particularly Perot, borrowed from the Republican vision of individualism and personal responsibility which first gained popularity with the [[Ronald Reagan]] presidency of the 1980s. The persistence of American Dream imagery in the speeches of party nominees since the 1960s shows the [[confidence]] politicians place in its appeal. The presidential candidates who have best articulated the country's visions and values have been victorious.<ref>Ray D. Dearin, "The American Dream as Depicted in Robert J. Dole's 1996 Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech," ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1997 27(4): 698-713,</ref>

==Beliefs today==

==Beliefs today==

* [[American exceptionalism]]

* [[American exceptionalism]]

[[Category:United States]][[Category:Sociology]][[Category:Economics]]

[[Category:United States of America]][[Category:Sociology]][[Category:Economics]]

[[Category:Conservative Dictionary]]

[[Category:Conservative Dictionary]]