Making Connections

1. The Horatio Alger myth is referred to by both Harlon L. Dalton (p. 1497) and Paul Krugman (p. 1505). What does each of these selections say about the Horatio Alger myth? Why does the myth persist in America? To what American beliefs and values does it appeal?

   Question

   Making Connections: - The Horatio Alger myth is referred to by both Harlon L. Dalton (p. 1497) and Paul Krugman (p. 1505). What does each of these selections say about the Horatio Alger myth? Why does the myth persist in America? To what American beliefs and values does it appeal?
2. Alan Brinkley (p. 1510) writes that, in the 1950s, “material abundance became one of the ways in which many, probably most, Americans defined their world” (par. 6). What does Sally Edelstein’s collage (p. 1525) suggest about Brinkley’s remark? Would she agree?

   Question

   Making Connections: - Alan Brinkley (p. 1510) writes that, in the 1950s, “material abundance became one of the ways in which many, probably most, Americans defined their world” (par. 6). What does Sally Edelstein’s collage (p. 1525) suggest about Brinkley’s remark? Would she agree?
3. What are some of the implications that go beyond economics in the pieces by Krugman and by Isabel V. Sawhill, Scott Winship, and Kerry Searle Grannis (p. 1521)?

   Question

   Making Connections: - What are some of the implications that go beyond economics in the pieces by Krugman and by Isabel V. Sawhill, Scott Winship, and Kerry Searle Grannis (p. 1521)?
4. How effectively does the use of statistics support the positions of Holly Sklar (p. 1503), Thomas Sowell (p. 1508), and Hedrick Smith (p. 1514)?

   Question

   Making Connections: - How effectively does the use of statistics support the positions of Holly Sklar (p. 1503), Thomas Sowell (p. 1508), and Hedrick Smith (p. 1514)?
5. What perspectives regarding “meritocracy” do we find in the article by Dalton and the study by Sawhill, Winship, and Grannis? Which do you find more persuasive? Explain.

   Question

   Making Connections: - What perspectives regarding “meritocracy” do we find in the article by Dalton and the study by Sawhill, Winship, and Grannis? Which do you find more persuasive? Explain.
6. Which of the selections portrays a middle class in contemporary America that most resembles the one described by Brinkley? Which describes a middle class least like the one described by Brinkley? Explain.

   Question

   Making Connections: - Which of the selections portrays a middle class in contemporary America that most resembles the one described by Brinkley? Which describes a middle class least like the one described by Brinkley? Explain.