American Value Assessment

 Reread sociologist Robin Williams' American Values list (see week 1) and answer the questions: Do you agree with his list or not? Please be specific in your reasoning as to why his list does and/or does not resonate with you and your values. Finally, are there values in his list that contradict with any of the six characteristics of a democracy listed in Week 1 (see "Characteristics of a Democracy" in Week 1 resources). Which characteristics are contradictory and how are they in conflict? Your essay must be 2-3 pages of content double spaced, 

Make sure that you construct and present your essay clearly. Please make sure that your essay contains the following components:

(a)        Introduction

(b)        Claims and Supporting Evidence

(c)        Analysis

(d)       Summary/Conclusions 

American Values (Robin Williams, 1970: 452-500).

Values – The standards by which members of a particular culture define what is good or bad

Sociologist Robin Williams has identified a number of core U.S. values. All are central to the American way of life because they are widespread, have endured over time, and reflect many people’s intense feelings. Do you agree or disagree with Robin Williams?

1. Individualism (“Consistent Persistence”) - Americans have traditionally prized success that comes from individual effort and initiative. They cherish the ideal that an individual can rise from the bottom of society to its very top. If someone fails to “get ahead,” Americans generally find fault with that individual, rather than with the social system for placing roadblocks in his or her path.

2. Achievement and Success (“Success Emphasis”) - Americans place a high value on personal achievement, especially outdoing others. This value includes getting ahead at work and school, and attaining wealth, power, and prestige.

3. Activity and Work (“Work for Work’s Sake”) - Americans expect people to work hard and to be busily engaged in some activity even when not at work.

4. Efficiency and Practicality - Americans award high marks for getting things done efficiently. Even in everyday life, Americans consider it important to do things fast, and they constantly seek ways to increase efficiency.

5. Science and Technology - Americans have a passion for applied science, for using science to control nature – to tame rivers and harness wind – and to develop new technology, from motorized scooters to talking computers.

6. Progress - Americans expect rapid technological change. They believe that they should constantly build “more and better” gadgets .........................talking sociology.................: Core American Values Handout Tuesday, August 31, 2010 http://talkingsociology.blogspot.com/2008/05/core-american-values-handout.html Page 1 of 3 that will help them move toward that vague goal called “progress.”

7. Material Comfort - Americans expect a high level of material comfort. This comfort includes not only good nutrition, medical care, and housing, but also late-model cars and recreational playthings – from boats o computer games.

8. Humanitarianism - Americans emphasize helpfulness, personal kindness, aid in mass disasters, and organized philanthropy.

9. Freedom - This core value pervades U.S. life. It underscored the American Revolution, and Americans pride themselves on their personal freedom.

10. Democracy - By this term, Americans refer to majority rule, to the right of everyone to express an opinion, and to representative government.

11. Equality - It is impossible to understand Americans without being aware of the central role that the value of equality plays in their lives. Equality of opportunity has significantly influenced U.S. history and continues to mark relations between groups that make up U.S. society.

12. Racism and Group Superiority - Although it contradicts freedom, democracy, and equality, Americans value some groups more than others and have done so throughout their history. The slaughter of Native Americans and the enslaving of Africans are the most notorious examples.

Williams himself acknowledge troublesome patterns in the list above because these core American values, as you may have noticed, are sometimes contradictory and don’t always mesh with reality.

What are the 6 characteristics of democracy?

Citizen Rule. A democratic government grants adult citizens the right to elect

their representatives. ...

Majority Rule and Minority Rights. The principle of majority rule is an

important part of the democratic system. ...

Individual Human Rights. ...

Free and Fair Elections. ...

Citizen Participation. ...

Cooperation and Compromis