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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>  Famous American literature embodying or referring to the American Dream includes ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', and ''[[Of Mice and Men]]''.

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.  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.

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.