The American Dream

What’s the Future of the American Dream?

Back in 2009 at Bill Moyers Journal we asked all our guests to share with us their vision of the future of the American Dream. We’ve followed up with some of those guests and they’ve shared their thoughts with us on where the American Dream stands today. Tell us what is your vision for the American Dream on Facebook, Twitter, email or at (347) 974-4181.

 

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Patricia J. Williams, Professor of Law

Then
“I hope that the American Dream becomes a new kind of civic engagement rather than simply the espousal of easy ideals.”

Now
“America, as dreamed, is a patchwork of upended pasts, imperfectly reconstituted. At best, it is the mending of multiple histories of displacement, an interior yearning for home whose outward expression is performed through pluralistically conceded claims upon conceptual space.” Read more »

 

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Harvey J. Kaye, Historian

Then
“The American Dream that I have has to do with extending and deepening freedom, equality and democracy. It doesn’t have to do with big government.”

Now
“The American Dream — America’s promise of freedom, equality and democracy — is not dead. Not yet. But to secure and advance it demands radical action.” Read more »

 

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Margaret Flowers (Photo by Robin Holland)

Margaret Flowers, Physician
Then
“My vision for the future is that we would overcome the special interest power that’s been dominating our political process for so long.”

Now
“This is the time for a strong offense because the only way we will achieve a transition to a clean energy economy, peace and fulfillment of our human rights is by building people power to overcome those who profit from opposing them.” Read more »

 

 

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Michael Zweig, Historian
Then
“I think the American Dream is going to have to be based and fulfilled as it always has been in the past — collective action for real democracy and economic justice. That’s what we’re going to have to do and it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

Now
“We pledge allegiance to the flag, visible in the smoke of battle, and say it represents freedom and justice for all. Today, the American Dream is the battle flag of our political life.” Read more »

 

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Zephyr Teachout, Scholar and Organizer
Then
“We need to have a much more decentralized model. So, it’s progressive decentralized progressive federalism.”

Now
“We are at a precipice moment in our country, between freedom and two kinds of tyranny. One kind of tyranny is the authoritarianism and abuse of truth and power represented by Donald Trump. The other is the despotism of large corporations that are taking over every aspect of our lives.” Read more »

 

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Andrew J. Bacevich, Historian
Then
“I think core of my vision would be that we find ways to preserve that which is best about the past — the American inheritance.”

Now
“Recovering the American Dream will require Americans to reflect seriously on the origins of that dream. The Preamble of the Constitution offers a place to begin.” Read more »

 

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Martha Nussbaum, Classicist and Philosopher
Then
“My vision would be of an America in which we each recognize that we each have a conscience, that each of us is searching for the meaning of life.”

Now
“Ten Central Capabilities: 1. Life. Being able to live to the end of a human life of normal length; not dying prematurely, or before one’s life is so reduced as to be not worth living.” Read more »

 

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James Galbraith, Economist
Then
“I would like to see the country return to taking on its problems in a practical frame of mind, one by one, if you like, setting out what needs to be done, working out what the public sector should do and what the private sector should do, and getting down to the job.”

Now
“Over the course of history all nations have grand moments and exemplary leaders; the United States has had a few. But let’s not kid ourselves. At the moment, our constitutional system is a train wreck; our political leaders are a laughingstock; our banks and oil companies run the government.” Read more »