Le rve amricaine : ralits et limits ?

partir de lexemple dun tat que vous choisissez vous

argumenterais autour de cette question en vous appuyant sur les aspect conomiques et sociaux
(ingalits sociales, puissance et faiblesses conomiques, march de lemploie et chmage, appareil
ducatif, violence socital ?)
Californian case
The notion of an American dream dates back to 1931, and is rooted in the Declaration of independence
which proclaims that "all men are created equal" with the right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness."
The idea is that life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each
according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth everybody is
personally responsible for their success and can make their dreams come true.
As noble as the idea seems, it is very difficult to be put into practice. There are many constraints to
realization of the American dream. The biggest obstacle is the inequality.
The inequality is very present in the American society. The gap between the rich and the poor of the
country is rapidly increasing and for the moment it does not seem like the country has find a way to
change this trend.
Perhaps no place is inequality more evident than in the rural reaches of California, the nations richest
agricultural state. The Golden State is now home to 111 billionaires, by far the most of any state;
California billionaires personally hold assets worth $485 billion, more than the entire GDP of all but 24
countries in the world. Yet the state also suffers the highest poverty rate in the country (adjusted for
housing costs), above 23%, and a leviathan welfare state. As of 2012, with roughly 12% of the
population, California accounted for roughly one-third of the nations welfare recipients.1
This economic inequality derives from unequal opportunities for education in the first place. Extremely
high cost of quality education keeps less fortunate individuals in the vicious circle of poverty. Quality
education remains crucial to both achieving economic security and breaking the cycle of
intergenerational poverty. More education typically leads to better jobs and more pay a fact that
has become increasingly critical due to the loss of middle class-manufacturing jobs to globalization
and it directly correlates to better-life outcomes for children.2
Social origin as the next major limitation of the equality is correlated to inability to access quality
education. As originating from the immigrant families who are looking for a better life in USA
themselves and are often not able to pay for their childrens education, leaves no other option to them
than taking students loans and living under the pressure of the debt and its interest for a major part
of their lives.
However, the issue of financing your studies in USA does not affect only individuals with immigrant
background but hits them the hardest. As California is the state with most immigrants, the problem
there is more than evident.

1
2

www.forbes.com Where Inequality Is Worst In The United States, on 4th of June 2015
www.capitalandmain.com Schooled FOR FAILURE: California's K-12 CRISIS, on 4th of June 2015

California is home to more than 10 million immigrantsone in four of the foreign-born population
nationwide. In 2011, 27% of Californias population was foreign-born, about twice the U.S.
percentage.3
For California, the implications couldnt be more profound. In sheer numbers, the state leads the
nation in its share of students from low-income, predominantly immigrant families, and claims the
largest percentage of English learners.4 It is facts like these that recently led the Social Science
Research Council to place California at the top of its educational inequality index in Decembers Portrait
of California: 2014-15 report.5
Social origin and inequality correlated to it regularly generate differences in average earnings of
individuals.
The correlation between demographic profile and economic performance in California is evident and
results in major differences in average earnings, as shown in the table below.
Table 1. Economic status

Source: www.pewhispanic.org, Demographic Profile of Hispanics in California, 2011, on 4th of June 2015

One can conclude that Hispanics and Blacks on average earn considerably less and are more exposed
to risk of poverty than Whites. This is the case that concerns all the states of USA.

www.ppic.com Public policy institute of California Immigrants in California, on 4th of June 2015
www.capitalandmain.com Schooled FOR FAILURE: California's K-12 CRISIS, on 4th of June 2015
5
www.capitalandmain.com Schooled FOR FAILURE: California's K-12 CRISIS, on 4th of June 2015
4

Concerning health insurance, non-whites make the biggest part of uninsured individuals and generally
are exposed to higher risks, as show in the next table.
Table 2. Health insurance

Source: www.pewhispanic.org, Demographic Profile of Hispanics in California, 2011, on 4th of June 2015

Californias economy is very strong and is one of the 8th largest in the world with a 2013 gross state
product (GDP) of $2.2 trillion.6 Where other states have one or two main economic sectors,
California has several - all of which lead the nation. California is first in high tech, biotech, agriculture,
entertainment, manufacturing, tourism and more.7 Furthermore, California creates many jobs, has
record exportation rates and really is a leading state from many points of view.
With its unemployment rate decreasing trend (currently on 6,30%) it certainly is a prosperous state
where American dream seems easy to reach. Moreover, the notion goes even further and often it is
called by its proper name: Californian dream.
"Of all the states in the union, only California has attached to its identity the concept of dream.
California has always been a figment of its own imagination, ever struggling for identity, ever inventing
itself."8

www.ajed.assembly.ca.gov Fast Facts on California's Innovation Economy, on 4th of June 2015

www.business.ca.gov California economy by the numbers, on 4th of June 2015
8
www.pbs.org Kevin Starr, Professor of History, University of Southern California, on 4th of June 2015
7