What is the American Dream, and has it become harder to achieve in recent years?

Whether the American Dream is centered in economic mobility or personal freedom, many citizens believe its achievement has grown more elusive.

By: Mark Robert Rank, Washington University in St. Louis, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 6, 2026

Words: 1,096

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Mark Robert Rank, Washington University in St. Louis

Few ideas are as central to the nation’s identity as that of the American Dream.

With the 250th birthday of the United States coming up in July 2026, it’s worth stepping back to examine a concept essential to the nation’s self-image.

The term “American Dream” was actually coined in the 1930s by historian James Truslow Adams. Ever since the establishment of the Colonies, however, America has …

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