The Politics of the American Dream

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

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2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 1-21

3. Part I

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 23-23

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   2. What Is the American Dream?

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 25-51

4. Part II

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 53-53

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   2. Rhetoric and Democratic Inclusion

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 55-82

5. Part III

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 83-83

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   2. The American Dream as “Lockean Sympathy”

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 85-105

6. Part IV

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-107

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   2. Constitutive Elements

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 109-129

   3. The Politics of Multiple Meanings

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 131-156

   4. The American Dream in the Twenty-First Century

      • Cyril Ghosh

      Pages 157-172

7. Back Matter

   Pages 173-240

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The Politics of the American Dream analyzes the role of the 'American Dream' in contemporary American political culture. Utilizing analytic political theory, Ghosh creates a unique picture of Dream Politics, and shows the effect on the landscape of American politics.

• culture
• dream
• inclusion
• political culture
• political theory
• politics
• rhetoric

'The American dream is a political Rorschach test, a flexible cultural trope, an ideological icon or whipping post, and an economic measuring stick. Despite its many meanings and uses, however, it is not an empty phrase but rather a powerful symbol of something. In this profound and elegant book, Cyril Ghosh fills in the 'something.' He melds political philosophy, American history, textual analysis, and new ideas into a genuinely novel and important analysis. I learned a great deal from this book, as will all other readers.' - Jennifer Hochschild, Professor of Government, Harvard University

'From the Puritans to contemporary electoral discourse, Cyril Ghosh has provided a provocative and creative examination of various invocations and meanings of the American Dream across the political spectrum. Ghosh finds implications for contemporary issues involving undocumented workers, the Occupy movement, the Tea Party, and negotiating the politics of identity.' - Carol Nackenoff, Richter Professor of Political Science, Swarthmore College

"If you want to understand American political culture you need to understand the concept of 'the American dream.' And to understand the origins, history and deployment of our most powerful rhetorical device, there's no better place to turn than Cyril Ghosh's well-written analysis in Politics of the American Dream.' Dalton Conley, University Professor, New York University and author of Elsewhere, USA

Cyril Ghosh is Visiting Assistant Professor at Mt. Holyoke College, USA.

Policies and ethics