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The mere availability of clean running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, heat, air conditioning, refrigeration, automobiles, quality food, and cable television would be considered extreme "wealth" in most of the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, because the prevailing concept of personal wealth is relational rather than absolute or defined by the objective benefits and conveniences of modern life in the developed world, most Americans take for granted the lifestyles, benefits, conveniences, and opportunities available to them in modern American society. In the early 20th century, for just one typical example, the wealthiest Americans enjoyed the thrill of automobile excursions because the first cars were so expensive that they denoted wealth and privilege. However, as soon as the first mass transportation systems and more affordable automobiles made traveling more...
Instead of appreciating their perfectly nice modern homes, millions of Americans defined "success" and "wealth" purely by comparing their homes to the larger more expensive homes available to them through fraudulent manipulations of mortgage and loan documentation. The catastrophe that resulted was directly attributable to the preoccupation with comparative wealth and acquisitive success in America.
In principle, almost all middle class and even lower middle class Americans are exceptionally wealthy by any objective standards in comparison to the level of wealth available to the vast majority of human beings throughout the world. The mere availability of clean running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, heat, air conditioning, refrigeration, automobiles, quality food, and cable television would be considered extreme "wealth" in most of the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, because the prevailing concept of personal wealth is relational rather than absolute or defined by the objective benefits and conveniences of modern life in the developed world, most Americans take for granted the lifestyles, benefits, conveniences, and opportunities available to them in modern American society. In the early 20th century, for just one typical example, the wealthiest Americans enjoyed the thrill of automobile excursions because the first cars were so expensive that they denoted wealth and privilege. However, as soon as the first mass transportation systems and more affordable automobiles made traveling more available to the masses, weekend drives to remote areas previously available much more exclusively to the wealthy lost their attraction to the wealthy.
Precisely because wealth in modern society is an illusory concept defined more by the subjective value of whatever is unavailable to others of lesser means, a century later, the American preoccupation with relative wealth and acquisitive success resulted in the creation of the housing market real estate bubble in 2008. Instead of appreciating their perfectly nice modern homes, millions of Americans defined "success" and "wealth" purely by comparing their homes to the larger more expensive homes available to them through fraudulent manipulations of mortgage and loan documentation. The catastrophe that resulted was directly attributable to the preoccupation with comparative wealth and acquisitive success in America.
Where Problems Begin The emphasis on funding and innovation that drove the advance of the American economy throughout much of the twentieth century was without a doubt a major part of the nation's success (Lemoncik 2006). This is not where today's issues of the internal crumbling of American society has its origins, however, and in fact the facade of great wealth, opportunity, and success that the United States still puts forward
This means that their money ends up being spent on useless things rather than being saved, or used to buy homes or other assets that could actually provide financial security. In addition, the current official system -- taxes, the workings of the government, and politicians and lobbyists which have become unofficially official -- is set up to protect the interests of big business and the very wealthy, with tax
The Temperance movement was initiated by ministers and doctors claiming alcohol consumption would decrease physical and psychological health. In response, those that associated and approved of the Temperance movement tried to ban the making of whiskey. Critics of the Temperance movement during the time period, as well as modern researchers, viewed Temperance as a form of social control and as a political symbol. The Temperance movement was one of the
Automobile on American Society There is perhaps no other invention during the twentieth century that had such a profound impact on American society than the automobile. It has become an intricate part of American culture. For many, it is a status symbol of wealth. For others, they believe that the car they drive defines their personality. While for still others, it is simply a means of getting from one location
In general, any business organization can help the homeless by contributing money or volunteers to local shelters and to promote the availability of jobs for those whose circumstances are mainly attributable to their inability to find steady work and income. Private Individuals Unfortunately comparatively few private individuals take the initiative to do anything to help the homeless, mainly because they underestimate how far even a little help goes. The simplest way
American Studies One theme that could unify the wide variety of readings in this course would be the paradox of Equality vs. Hierarchy in American history and society, which is closely related to Inclusion and Exclusion. Black observers, activists and critics of American society like Martin Luther King, Langston Hughes, Cornell West and James Baldwin understood these themes particularly well. From the colonial period to the present, this country has always