Moorthy Sajeetha 100441604 Reaction Paper
Introduction
In 1996, a University of Michigan study found that the most affluent 10% of American households held 61% of the country’s wealth in 1989 (Sloan, 1997). United States has more poor and more rich than any other industrialized nations (Sloan, 1997). United States and Canada are still a land of outstanding opportunities, as evidenced by their attraction for immigrants and the growing number of millionaires. However, numerous academic studies demonstrate that inequality is growing in North America. It is then safe to state that, conflict theory is a more accurate depiction of the life in North America. I will argue that the development of a free market economy only serve to exploit the poor and reinforce class inequalities. This paper will explore liberal and conflict theory as it relates to social policy. The first section of this paper will introduce conflict theory and liberal theory. This paper will then discuss about the movie The Pursuit of Happyness as it relates to liberal theory and the play Death of a Salesman as it relates to conflict theory. Finally, this paper will conclude with a discussion about the growing inequality in North America relating to conflict theory. Liberal Theory Liberalism is an ideology that promotes the freedom of the individual in religious, political and economic matters (MacNeill, 2012a). The early main liberal thinker was John Locke, who is well credited for the creation of liberalism that private individuals had a fundamental right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism is a Western/European idea which emerged in the middle ages and became fully formed in the mid-1800s (MacNeill, 2012a). It started as a major principle and political attempt in response to the religious wars gripping Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries (MacNeill, 2012a). The first important step in liberal agitation came with the American Revolution, and liberalism fully exploded as a complete movement against the old order during the French
In 1996, a University of Michigan study found that the most affluent 10% of American households held 61% of the country’s wealth in 1989 (Sloan, 1997). United States has more poor and more rich than any other industrialized nations (Sloan, 1997). United States and Canada are still a land of outstanding opportunities, as evidenced by their attraction for immigrants and the growing number of millionaires. However, numerous academic studies demonstrate that inequality is growing in North America. It is then safe to state that, conflict theory is a more accurate depiction of the life in North America. I will argue that the development of a free market economy only serve to exploit the poor and reinforce class inequalities. This paper will explore liberal and conflict theory as it relates to social policy. The first section of this paper will introduce conflict theory and liberal theory. This paper will then discuss about the movie The Pursuit of Happyness as it relates to liberal theory and the play Death of a Salesman as it relates to conflict theory. Finally, this paper will conclude with a discussion about the growing inequality in North America relating to conflict theory. Liberal Theory Liberalism is an ideology that promotes the freedom of the individual in religious, political and economic matters (MacNeill, 2012a). The early main liberal thinker was John Locke, who is well credited for the creation of liberalism that private individuals had a fundamental right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism is a Western/European idea which emerged in the middle ages and became fully formed in the mid-1800s (MacNeill, 2012a). It started as a major principle and political attempt in response to the religious wars gripping Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries (MacNeill, 2012a). The first important step in liberal agitation came with the American Revolution, and liberalism fully exploded as a complete movement against the old order during the French
References: MacNeill, Timothy, (2012a). Liberalism [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.uoit.ca/connect/ MacNeill, Timothy, (2012b). Market Exploitation [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.uoit.ca/connect/ Miller, Arthur. (1986). Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin Books Sloan, J. W. (1997). The Reagan presidency, growing inequality, and the American dream. Policy Studies Journal, 25(3), 371-386. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/210562814?accountid=14694