The American Way, the American Dream

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the perfect framework for the unique lifestyle of people living in the United States, historically known as the American Way.

This popular phrase refers to a national ethos that purports to adhere to the principles of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

 

At the center of the American Way there is the American Dream, a belief in which success excalation is achievable by any American through hard work.

This concept is intertwined with the concept of American exceptionalism, an idea consisting in confining the American Way to US. Territory, because here is rooted the culture of a nation unlike any in the world.

I would like to insert the beautiful description William Herberg gave to the unique American Way:

 

“The American Way is individualistic, dynamic and pragmatic.

It affirms the supreme value and dignity of the individual, for he is never to rest but is always striving to “get ahead”, it defines an ethic of self-reliance, merit and character, and judges by achievement: “deeds, not creeds” are what count.

The American Way of Life is humanitarian, “forward-looking”, and optimistic. The Americans believes in progress, in self-improvement. But, above all, the American is idealistic”.

 

Again, here goes another American lifestyle dissertation by John W. Carlin:

“We (the Americans) are different because our government and our way of life are not based on the divine right of Kings, or the hereditary privileges of elites, or the enforcement of deference to dictators.

They are based on pieces of paper, the Charters of Freedom, the Declaration that asserted our independence, the Constitution that created our government and the Bill of Rights that established our Liberties”.