The Enduring Myth of the American Dream: Mobility, Marginalization, and Hope.
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Wyatt-Nichol, H. (2011). The enduring myth of the American Dream: Mobility, marginalization, and hope. International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior.14(2):258-279.
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Abstract
The American Dream functions as a myth within our political
discourse by providing hope to citizens and reinforcing beliefs in the
protestant work ethic and meritocracy. This article examines the myth
through categories of mobility, marginalization, and hope. Elite theory and
institutional isomorphism are used to explore business privilege within
Public Administration. The ability to reframe the American Dream is
considered through an examination of select speeches at the 2008
Democratic National Convention. Despite evidence of declining mobility and
structural inequality, citizens cling to the myth. One explanation is that
marginalization perpetuates the American Dream by crowding out issues of
social class through various methods of institutional isomorphism. Another
explanation is that the dream endures because it can be re-conceptualized.