Classless society Quote by Jane Mayer
““The United States, which idealized itself as a classless society in which everyone had the opportunity to get ahead, had in fact fallen behind many other rich nations in terms of intergenerational economic mobility, including such old-world, class-bound countries as France, Germany, and Spain.””
About This Quote
Source Article: "The American Dream is Fading", The New Yorker, 2021
The US, once seen as a meritocratic society, now lags behind many European nations in intergenerational mobility, contrary to its self-image.
In simple terms: US mobility has declined compared to Europe.
Address structural barriers to mobility.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public policy reform
- education investment
- economic research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies could improve mobility?
- How does perception affect policy action?
Changing deep-rooted systems is complex and politically contentious.