“Sadly, the American dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before, and we will make America great again” (Here’s Donald…). The crowd burst into applause at Trump Tower that day, warmly welcoming Donald Trump into the presidential primary race in June of 2015. We know what came next—surging poll numbers, controversial rallies, the Republican nomination and a viable shot at becoming the next president of the United States. People latched onto the pervasive message of elevating America’s status in the world once again. Many, including Trump himself, believe that his phrase is revolutionary, and that it finally gives Americans what they want to hear. However, looking only at …show more content…
No politician can objectively point to a time when America was ‘great,’ or when the decline started. Because of the impossibility of clarifying these two times, the media and politicians can bend the idea of greatness around in many ways, and often, the groups suggest that the decline is a first-time occurrence. In the contrary, fears of American decline have existed since America’s foundation. For example, while the Americans were resoundingly successful in the revolutionary war, the British impressed US soldiers, burned the White House and blockaded US ports during the War of 1812. General Sherman and other officers felt the Union’s inability to quickly defeat the Confederate Army proved American decline, and Lincoln’s assassination was seen as an event that would be impossible to recover from. The Great Depression was another period of assumed national decline, and Adolf Hitler believed that America could not enter World War 2 because America had become too weak of a nation (Dowd). Between every period of assumed decline, America advanced greatly, from spreading across the American continent after the War of 1812, to imperializing and creating the world’s most powerful navy after the Civil War, and finally to leaving the Great Depression and World War 2 as the world’s dominant economic, political and social power. Although the continued trend of decline and amazing recovery is not certain, it is important for Americans to understand that the current fear of decline is not new. The American people would benefit greatly if American greatness could be put on a timescale, because the people and historians would be able to more easily determine if the trends and claims are
The essay titled America Remain the World’s Beacon of Success by Tim Roemer discusses the positive position America placed as a leader in many of its endeavors in the fields of technology, sciences, and healthcare. In Roemer’s opinion, America regarded upon by other countries as the litmus test comparing their success. Roemer enumerated the many achievements and discoveries America accomplished as new country at only 700 years old. Now the question remains, will the success of America continue to be sustainable? I believe it will be, and I agree with Roemer’s opinion despite the internal issues the country face on a regular basis. After all, success is a daily repeated effort in small sum.
For the past century, the United States has been regarded as the greatest hegemonic power in the world. The U.S. played the most important role in the advancement of mankind from social, political, scientific, military, and economic standpoint. Unfortunately, today this is no longer true. Since the 1980’s the U.S. has been on a gradual decline. The introduction and implementation of trickle down economics, otherwise known as “Reaganomics,” has contributed greatly to the systemic dismantling of the socioeconomic structure that made America great.
In ancient times, there was a country of stupendous power and might. A nation which amassed a military like no other, grew an economy so strong that it seemed everlasting, and established a government that stood for its people. It appeared that this was the country to set an example for all countries that followed. It was the behemoth of prosperity. It was the great Roman Empire. It seemed as though this country’s reign would never end, but this was far from the truth. For with great prosperity came a dreadful plummet and eventually collapse. This was the unfortunate fate of all powerful nations, including that of, dare it be said, the United States of America. The all powerful and unbeatable nation which reigned its dominant influence over the entire world. Surely, it could never have fallen. However, that statement would be considered nonsensical if directed toward the once almighty and all powerful Roman Empire. Thus, it could not be stated for the “Great Experiment” (USA). Which was why the comparison between the two, very similar, superpowers was logical. Clearly, the Roman Empire which had striking parallels to the United States was a foreshadowing of America’s fate: Inevitable collapse. Both superpowers had vastly similar economics, foreign influence, and government, of which, Rome had experienced an unfortunate decline. Thus, comparisons could be made between how Rome and America rose to power, began to lose their power, and eventually, how Rome fell and how America might have fallen.
Godfrey Hodgson believes that the ideal for the American Exceptionalism stands for its great principle (rule of law, rights protection, constitution, and sovereignty of the people) that protects it from any political crisis that hit other great countries (xvi). He goes further and suggests that ideology was involved in establishing the exceptional character of American civilization (7). However, his purpose in writing the Myth of American Exceptionalism is to dispute Perry Miller’s (1905-1963) assumption of “the uniqueness of the American experience.” Essentially, he argues that the exaggeration of the American experience and destiny is extremely dangerous, “because they are the soil in which unreal and hubristic assumptions of the American history have grown” (16). That is to say, the American experience is less exceptional than it seems. He offers two counter arguments. First, the history of the United States is connected to the history of Europe. Second, the social and political ideals, especially democracy and liberty, have come into existence after a struggle as anywhere else (Hodgson 16). For him, it is true that American history has distinct and original features; yet, it is also true that America always been greatly influenced by European
Every 20th of January, the United States undergoes the passing of power from one president, to another. On this specific election, Donald J. Trump was elected as president. He has received much criticism from opposition, but much praise from his supporters. Although a very controversial person, Trump gave a great speech that was based on uniting the people as one. Trump used multiple rhetorical strategies such as repetition, pauses in speech, and listing are just a few of them. Adding hints of populism, his speech was one that touched many citizens. While very controversial, Trump’s inauguration speech was one that was based on the people, not the elite, about bringing back what made America great, and uniting everyone as one.
The conclusion of The Reckless Decade: America in the 1890's that one can take is that H.W. Brands got it right. America was and is often what Americans believe it to be. It is in a state of decline and it is prosperous. It has been a battleground between populist reformers and greedy, corrupt politicians. It has seen labor unions and massive industries lock horns and pitch ferocious battles over wages, eight hour workdays, and working conditions. The country has fought over foreign lands and even against its own people. It has seen advances in technology and industry never seen anywhere else in the world, and it has dealt with near economic ruin. The United States has been through stratospheric highs and epic lows, and yet it continues to move forward. That was H.W. Brands’ message in this book, and he got it right.
In How America Can Rise Again, John Fallows addresses the current state of the United States of America as he tries to establish whether the nation is truly crumbling as many critics and experts claim. Fallows’ analysis of the situation is aided by the fact that he spent some time in Asia, particularly China and India, and is therefore able to compare the situation in the United States with that in two of the world’s fastest rising industrial powers. His analysis is also constructed around the views and opinions of some experts who he addressed with the of America’s apparent collapse. While speaking with historians, soldiers, politicians and experts in various fields, Fallows sought to establish whether the fears of America’s demise were justified or simply a repetition of the regular alarmist claims of discontent parties in the nation. While Fallows’ arguments regarding America’s current state are largely infallible, his conclusions are skewed by the fact that he only compares the United States to China, and not other significant powers such as the European Union.
Most of us know that America is one of, if not the most influential country in today’s world. We’re also the wealthiest and most powerful. But as the Roman and Greek Empires have shown us, such nations usually can’t remain in this position forever. So, assuming this will be our fate, when will it happen? When will we stop being “on top of the world?” Bob Herbert and Alan W. Dowd provide their own answers on the matter.
For years, America has always been perceived as one of the top world powers due to its ability of achieving so much technological, economical, and social progress within a mere couple decades. Despite their great accomplishments, America is actually regressing psychologically, preventing the country from reaching its true potential as an “opportunity rich” country. In Anthony Burgess’ Is America Falling Apart? , the author unveils the circumstances in which America’s restricting society and selfish ideology cause the nation to develop into the type of society it tried to avoid becoming when it separated from the British Empire.
Before the 20th century, individual progress was the definition of the American identity. Success was zero-sum; the people that did progress had authority over the people that didn’t, and people had this overwhelming desire to strive to the fullest as an individual. Several developments throughout American history demonstrated the desire to succeed and progress in America before the 20th century. Slavery, industrialization, and the great depression are events that had an immense impacted the American identity in the 1920s by transforming it from an identity built on a greedy desire to strive and progress as an individual to one that strives to progress as a nation in whole.
Most of the United States (U.S) is comprised of immigrants—including those who have migrated to the States from another country and those whose ancestors freely travelled to the States in search of a fresh start. Every year, the U.S. grants a limited number of people around the world the opportunity to immigrate to the States each year. As a result of the restriction, citizens from neighboring countries cross the border illegally. According to an article by Jens Manuel Krogstad, 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants reside in the U.S. in 2014. This whopping number has stirred controversy both politically and economically for America’s government officials. As a result, many people argue whether illegal immigrants should or should not be aided
As a result from extreme hard work and perseverance followed by an unmatchable drive to succeed, Donald J. Trump has earned the right to be known as a multi-billionaire, real estate icon, and President of the United States of America. Reflecting on his life, he has faced many challenges and overcame them all. To understand how he rose to success and his journey to the top of the kingpin, it is important to recognize how he saw the american dream and pursued it. Today, many recognize him as the president but very few can fully grasp all that he has done in his life. From his start as a real estate mogul, to his impact on media, there are many questions as to how he became so recognizable today.
Many people see history as a set of facts, or as a collection of stories. The reality, however, is that history is a fluid timeline. Each act of an individual or a group has an effect on others. Each moment in history is a building block that, good or bad, contributes to the stability of the next. This can be seen clearly in American history, as there have been several developments since the 1800’s that have played major roles on the growth of the nation.
One of the most vigorous debates focuses on the current status of the United States hegemony and whether or not it is in decline. This begs the question, if the United States is indeed declining in status, will it still be an influential player or not? I argue that the United States is losing its prominent position as the hegemonic leader of the world, but will still remain an influential player in global politics in the following decades to come. Its decline is an imminent result of their domestic issues, the violation of international laws and economic deficit, which have posed a grave and serious challenge for the United States. On the other hand, I propose that the United States will remain a dominant force due to its innovation, cultural influences around the world, and military prowess. In their articles, “How Americans Can Survive the rise of the Rest”, by Fareed Zakaria and “America and Europe in the Asian Century”, by Kishore Mahbubani, provides two distinctive and thought provoking arguments from a declinist perspective. However, both articles are susceptible to criticism and will be further examined in order to understand the United States prominent role.
Most everyone in the world knows about America; "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave," a nation of free men and women doing whatever they wish, pretty much a place to make life as you desire it to be. But there is actually much debate on if this nation of liberty & freedom is truly the pinacle of the global nations. Nations are overall rated by four main areas; military strength to both attack threats and defend the nation, healthcare to ensure the wellbeing of the nation 's people, unemployment rate monitoring the ability to make a financial living, and education to see how the nation is in intelligence and technology. More so, America has a concept known as the "American Dream", an idea of what one can do by becoming a citizen of the first