Blacks and the American Ethos. A Reevaluation of Existing Theories

Recently, research concerning Blacks and the American ethos has concluded that Blacks do support the underlying principles of American society in much the same way and to the same extent as Whites. For the most part, scholars have been content with this notion rather than attempting to take the research one step further in order to examine why this might be the case (Myrdal, Sterner, & Rose, 1944; Parent, 1985). This article will argue that this apparent relationship is misleading and that, although Blacks do support the ideals of economic individualism in American society, it is not for the reasons that have been suggested. At first glance the idea that Blacks support the American ethos would seem illogical. Blacks historically have been discriminated against and have been excluded from this American dream. Today, they generally make up the poorer sections of society, with lower incomes, lower levels of education and, in fact, generally fewer opportunities than Whites. Since they do not always have equal opportunities in society, it would seem plausible to expect that they would not support the principles of economic individualism to the same extent as Whites

Dream · Economics · Environmental ethics · Ethos · Individualism · Order (exchange) · Political science · Positive economics · Sociology · American Constitutional Law and Politics · Law · Political Theory and Influence · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Social Psychology

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