Alexis De Tocqueville Research Paper
THE AMERICAN DREAM: ITS HISTORY AND FUTURE
There are a number of things that can be seen as distinctly American. However, perhaps none of these things is more stereotypically American than the concept of the “American Dream.” However, does the American Dream still persist in modern society? Is the United States still the place that people around the world aspire to live due to its focus on life, liberty, and equality? This paper will investigate the phenomenon of the American Dream by reflecting upon Tocqueville’s evaluation of early America and examining tenets that support the persistence of the American Dream.
Tocqueville’s America Alexis de Tocqueville traveled from France to America in 1831 in order to observe the United States’ prison …show more content…
This can be derived from the rise and growth of the middle class where the phrase “living the American Dream” started to become synonymous with the attainment of select goods. For example, living the American Dream was at one point seen as owning one’s own home. It has been known to reference supporting a family on one income, owning two automobiles, and being able to take vacations across the country. The concept of living the American Dream seemingly evolves just as fast as society does with it increasingly encompassing each successive cultural or technological revolution. In short, these examples provide somewhat of a formative look at just what constitutes the American Dream and how it can be defined. The American Dream is a powerful construct, perhaps taking on some characteristics of a mythos, that can motivate one to take on a great deal of risk to become a part of American society. In this sense, it is somewhat of an aspect of nationalism and pride in “becoming American” or exhibiting Americanness. Additionally, the American Dream refers to a state of “keeping up with the Joneses” that implies continued economic progress and
There are a number of things that can be seen as distinctly American. However, perhaps none of these things is more stereotypically American than the concept of the “American Dream.” However, does the American Dream still persist in modern society? Is the United States still the place that people around the world aspire to live due to its focus on life, liberty, and equality? This paper will investigate the phenomenon of the American Dream by reflecting upon Tocqueville’s evaluation of early America and examining tenets that support the persistence of the American Dream.
Tocqueville’s America Alexis de Tocqueville traveled from France to America in 1831 in order to observe the United States’ prison …show more content…
This can be derived from the rise and growth of the middle class where the phrase “living the American Dream” started to become synonymous with the attainment of select goods. For example, living the American Dream was at one point seen as owning one’s own home. It has been known to reference supporting a family on one income, owning two automobiles, and being able to take vacations across the country. The concept of living the American Dream seemingly evolves just as fast as society does with it increasingly encompassing each successive cultural or technological revolution. In short, these examples provide somewhat of a formative look at just what constitutes the American Dream and how it can be defined. The American Dream is a powerful construct, perhaps taking on some characteristics of a mythos, that can motivate one to take on a great deal of risk to become a part of American society. In this sense, it is somewhat of an aspect of nationalism and pride in “becoming American” or exhibiting Americanness. Additionally, the American Dream refers to a state of “keeping up with the Joneses” that implies continued economic progress and