America’s uniquely common culture is worth celebrating
Over 100 years ago, German sociologist Werner Sombart famously asked, “Why is there no socialism in the United States?” For Sombart, the answer was America’s unusual prosperity, social mobility, and weak class consciousness.
TL;DR
- Werner Sombart questioned the lack of socialism in the U.S., attributing it to prosperity, social mobility, and weak class consciousness.
- America's common culture, historically promoted through print media, taverns, and later mass media like penny press and sports, unified diverse groups.
- Walt Disney's Disneyland aimed for universal accessibility, reflecting a belief in shared experiences for all families.
- Current pricing and preferential treatment at Disney parks and sporting events create a divide between the wealthy and average attendees.
- The fragmentation of sports broadcasting further separates audiences, requiring multiple expensive subscriptions.
- The rise of socialist politicians and the increasing class resentment suggest a shift away from America's traditional resistance to socialism.
- A nation that stops sharing common experiences makes it easier for citizens to view each other as rival classes rather than a unified people.
- The article argues that America's common culture, though imperfect, was precious and helped foster a sense of national unity, which is now worth preserving.