What really matters to Americans? It might seem impossible to generalize across vast distances and a population of 290 million who are renowned for being highly individualistic. Yet the special character and unique experiences of the early settlers and successive waves of immigrants have indeed shaped a set of all-American values.


America -The ideal
Despite their different backgrounds or motivations, those who came willingly to America were bound together by similar beliefs, united in the same mission. They rejected notions of a state-mandated religion, a powerful centralized government, or a rigid class structure. Their believed that morality and hard work led to improvement of mankind and the betterment of society.

Everyone had an equal chance of success because every individual was free to control his own destiny. These guiding principles of liberty, equality – even the “pursuit if happiness”- were modeled and reinforced by colonial America’s early leaders. Later institutionalized in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, they have shaped public policy and national values ever since. Today the fact that millions of immigrants still clamor for U.S. citizenship reinforces the nation’s conviction that America is still, as Lincoln described it, “the last, best hope on earth”.

Equality of opportunity
Early on, Americans were determined to make their new society a meritocracy. First enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the phrase “all men are created equal” emphasized that regardless of race, religion, or background, every individual should be provided with equal opportunity to succeed, Rungs on the ladder of success would not be arbitrarily allocated by birthright, but achieved through initiative and perseverance.

Equal opportunity is not to be confused with egalitarianism (another important American value). In his book Democracy in America (1835) de Tocqueville first observed that emphasis is placed on equality of opportunity – not equal conditions for all. Consistent with their individualistic mentality, Americans believe that ability, effort, and achievement should be rewarded, and reject the notion of government interference to iron out social and economic inequities. Rather than investing in a European-style welfare state, America “levels the playing field” and promotes upward mobility by making its educational system flexible and accessible to all.

Change is good:
America was found by a special breed of adventurous, entrepreneurial types who sought new frontiers to conquer. They found plentiful resources and a young society, people who thought that constant change was a duty, and that progress was its reward. The “change equals progress” equation has shaped a future-oriented culture that rewards “go getters” who “think out of the box” and “push the envelope”. With vision, energy, and perseverance, anything can be accomplished. It is a conviction that has placed a man on the moon, and produced three times as many Nobel Prize winners as the next country. It is why the introduction of a globally implemented IT system or a new brand of washing powder is automatically and enthusiastically embraced. If it’s new, it must be improved.
Unwavering optimism and faith in the future inspire not only action but a confident swagger and upbeat tone – today is good, but tomorrow can only be better.

Diversity :
Americans proudly assert that “in diversity there is strength,” and also challenge. Legislation and increased social awareness have led to greater equality for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Progress may be slow, but changing societal attitudes can be measured in the use of more respectful terminology for minorities, the spread of multilingual signs and services, and corporate initiatives to promote diversity in the workplace.
Affirmative action initiatives, ensuring that employers and educational institutions allocate a designated number of places to minority groups, have attempted to redress injustices in the system. Some people, however, counter that this constitutes “reverse discrimination.” Thus the ideal of equality of opportunity continues to bump up against the reality of existing socio-economic inequities and lingering discrimination.


Patriotism:
Post-Revolutionary Americans had neither a long shared history nor a common cause to rally around once they had expelled the British. A sense of identity and unity had to be forged. The Constitution and the flag soon became patriotism’s most potent symbols.

To the visitor the American flag seems to be everywhere. It not only flies outside public buildings but graces many front lawn. The national anthem is a story about the flag that flew throughout the night during the British bombardment of Baltimore’s for Mc Henry in 1812; its represents the strength of the American spirit. Schoolchildren swear allegiance to the flag and when the national anthem plays, people stand, and many place their hands on their hearts…

Top ^