April 1st, 2025
Dear Readers,
The American Dream—the idea that one can move up the social and economic ladder on a whim, based solely on merit and work ethic—suggests that you can fail seven times over and finally succeed, “making it” to the top. You can start with nothing and end up with everything.
We see this exemplified by American billionaires, most of whom are self-made. They did not come from wealthy backgrounds; they built their fortunes through their own endeavors. America was founded on the belief that individuals can make the best decisions for themselves and use their own free will and determination to rise—or fall—on society’s ladder.
While this system has seen great success, it is not without its critics. Some argue that achieving wealth may come at the expense of the poor or that the success of multimillionaires and billionaires relies on the labor of others who might be more deserving—even though these workers have themselves experienced an upturn in overall wealth.
This idea of upward mobility is relatively new compared to how communities and societies have functioned for centuries. Until the birth of the United States—and even for a short time afterward—countries largely operated on a fixed class system. In most of human history, you remained in the class into which you were born; if you were born poor, you would likely remain poor for life.
A common example of the old system is the aristocracy, where nobles held most of the wealth, knowledge, and power, and serfs were bound to the land. Initially, this system served its purpose: a king would allocate land among trusted officials to protect and manage it, while serfs farmed the land and produced goods to sustain the community. However, as society and technology evolved, the system proved unsuitable for the modern world. The nobles began hoarding wealth and resources, making the poor poorer and widening the gap between classes. With little opportunity for upward mobility, serfs found themselves trapped at the bottom.
Dividing society in a way that leaves no room for growth can quickly lead to widespread discontent and eventual revolt against the ruling class.
In the end, while both the myth of the American Dream and the rigid class systems of the past highlight humanity's pursuit of progress, it is essential to remember that our nation's success has long been built on the pillars of personal responsibility and individual initiative.
