In the previous post, I spoke of the relative nature of social positioning, and the idea that one could strategically position herself to increase her personal value (or their position within the social body). Both of these ideas are especially important in times of economic decline, because many of the common discourses are rendered problematic. As the standard of living drops relative to other nations, international comparisons become difficult to swallow. As the nation experiences economic and social problems, comparisons to the past illustrate a disappointing regression. Essentially, it is up to the individual to compensate for the loss of these comparative frameworks with innovative new ones or with the transformation of classical frames.
One of the main primary transformations of classical frames centers on the concept of the American Dream. Although it seems as though economic decline would reveal the fallacy at work, Americans report increased confidence in their ability to obtain the American Dream. Yet, the very concept of the American Dream is something that is constantly changing. Whereas, my first post on this issue postulated it as a sort of ideal scenario whereby one’s wildest dreams would be realized, the concept has evolved to center on a series of abstract values. Rather than expressing the American Dream as the accumulation of massive amounts of wealth, people consider freedom and opportunity as its key values. Rather than referencing their personal desires, which may or may not be possible to obtain, people identify social standards “natural” to the United States. It is as a result of the ideal social framework that the individual is able to feel privileged relative to the citizens of other countries. It is the concept of freedom that presents a bright future despite the problems of our current days.
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/us/08dreampoll.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
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