The American Dream is a set of ideals that represent the national ethos of the United States. It is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society that values representative democracy, rights, liberty, and equality. The American Dream promises freedom and equality, offering the freedom to make both the large and small decisions that affect one’s life, the freedom to aspire to bigger and better things and the possibility of achieving them, the freedom to accumulate wealth, the opportunity to lead a dignified life, and the freedom to live in accordance with one’s values.
Historically, the American Dream has been associated with upward mobility and enough economic success to lead a comfortable life. However, the original “American Dream” was not a dream of individual wealth, but a dream of equality, justice, and democracy for the nation. The phrase was repurposed by each generation, until the Cold War, when it became an argument for a consumer capitalist version of democracy.
The American Dream is not just about material success, but also about the opportunity for each person to achieve their full potential and be recognized for who they are, regardless of their circumstances of birth or position. It is about living life the way you want to, and that is something that Americans still have the freedom to do.
