The American Dream

1. What is the social function of myth?

It reinforces the cultural believes and the social heritages, legacies. Myth function to
form or reinforce social and cultural values.

2. What is the social function of the American Dream myth?

It provides hope to the average citizen by reinforcing the belief that everything can be
achieved if one is working tirelessly and pushing to the limit (=protestant work ethic).
Success is not a matter of money, origin or social class.

3. What kind of societal transformations affected mobility in the 20th century?

The socioeconomical status of the parents is becoming more and more important (a
child born into poverty will experience considerably more obstacles to upward
mobility then children of higher socio-economic status). Also there was a shift from
the manufacturing- to the service sector, resulting lower wages and limited
opportunities for lower skilled employees.

4. Despite the declining rates of mobility why do people believe in the American
Dream? What explanation is offered in the text?
First of all, because the American Dream is the basic foundation of the USA and the
belief in it is so strong that one cannot challenge it easily with successful critical
thinking. The thought, that anybody can achieve anything gives hope in desperate
times. Secondly, the issues of social classes are marginalized.

5. How elite theory and institutional isomorphism provide explanation for

marginalization?
The elite theory says that there is a power elite of individuals who run the
machinery of the state through control of public and private organizations. They not
necessarily aristocrats, but surely they represent the upper class. Because they control
the largest and most influential organizations, they are able to control the society
throught bureaucracy and administration.
In the other hand the institutional isomorphism shatters the borders between public
and private spheres.

6. What is isomorphism? What are the three mechanisms?

a. What is coercive isomorphism?
Cultural values linking democracy and liberty to private enterprise
influences citizens perceptions which, in turn, influence public organizations.
In this case the term of democracy in the USA is linked together with market
liberties, business interests, the rising standard of living and economical
success.
b. What is mimetic isomorphism?
Mimetic isomorphism occurs through continuous pressure to run
government like business.... They use strategies such as downsizing and
performance- based measurement.
 c. What is normative isomorphism?
It emphasizes the education and tries to portray the American
past/present/future as a land of opportunity, marginalizing the other
historical or economocial viewpoints. As a result, inequality is attributed to
personal failure, and pushing it to the realm of individual responsibility for
those who have been less successful.

7. Summarize how President Barack Obama re-conceptualized the American

Dream.
a. What is the role of hope in this process?
Barack Obama reconceptualised the American Dream by a message of hope,
that replaces individual responsibility with collective responsibility, thus
helping to unite the people once more for a common good, for a better
community.
b. What is the role of administration?
By recasting the dream from one of individual responsibility to one that
also incorporates collective responsibility, the role of Public
Administration is extended. The new Administration should be client-
centered and emphasize equlity and social justice.
c. What is meant by the ironic twist of business power in this discourse?
To win the support of the Congress and Senate, which are run by lobby groups
and politicians founded by business corporations, Obama needs to find a
way to give them economical promises to support him with his campaign
AGAINST the very companies and lobby groups.