American Dream
Definition
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States that promises freedom for all individuals to pursue prosperity and success through hard work regardless of their background.
Analogy
Imagine playing a video game where everyone starts at level 1 but has an equal chance to reach level 100 based on their skills and effort. That’s what American Dream promises - equal opportunity for success irrespective of your starting point.
Related terms
Opportunity Structure: Refers to accessible avenues people can follow which lead towards desired outcomes such as employment or wealth accumulation.
Social Mobility: The ability for an individual or family to move up or down within socioeconomic strata in society based on changes in wealth, occupation etc.
Meritocracy: A system where advancement in society is based on individual ability or achievement rather than connections or privilege.
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