DouslasK Stevenson AMEFican Life and oo Institutions With the assistance of Jiirgen H. Bodenstein Elke Daun-Barausch Emst Klett VerlagPreface American Life and Instsuions is an upstate Introduction othe United States of America and her people. At an intermediate to advanced level of language difficulty, it provides an integrative view of American society, history, economics, politics, media, and culture. Written with a pre- dominantly European readership in mind, it chal lenges established ideas of what Americas, docu ments current trends, and attempts to place in context the often fragmented information about the US. found in many textbooks and conveyed through the media. ‘The volume is suitable, therefore, both as a classroom reader and as a reference work provid- ing foundation for further study. The detailed index allows readers to Ioeate information (quickly, and less familiar terms ase explained in the alphabetical vocabulary. The questions fo discussion focus attention on important aspects of American life and institutions, and stimulate comparative, intercultural perspectives. The first chapter is an essential introduction. Each of the other nine is self-contained unit, presenting one complete aspect of American society. These nine ‘chapters need not be read in order. To distill the complex and rapidly changing nature of Ameriea and American life into a bal- anced survey is a daunting task. This is especially so as “what America is” is a question that has been continually argued for over two hundred _years. The greatest appreciation istherefore given tothose colleagues, American and European, and especially to Hartmut K. Selke, who lent their patient suppent, insights into things American, sand critical intelligenceContents LinSearchof America... 2... 5 This Land Is Your Land? From California to the New ‘York Island Measuring the Distance ~ They've All Come to Look for America, TI, Wethe People la A Nation of Immigrants - The “Average American ‘The “Melting Pot.” the "Salad Bow” and the “Pizza” Demographics: the Basie Piture - Native Americans — ‘Ancistry ~ Erica Ward ~ A Majority of Minorities? ~ ‘Changing Patterns of Immigration ~ Immigration Laws = Why They Came, Why They Come ~ Religion: “One ‘avian, Under God” ~ Prosperity and Poverty ~ Ma- bility: Moving West ~ Intemal Migeation: From Frost Belt to Sun Bel = Urbanization ~ Crime Gun Laws — ‘Changes 111. American Government 33 A New Nation ~The Constitution andthe Billa Rights = The American System of Government ~ Congress ~ ‘The President ~ The Federal Judiciary ~ Checks ana Dalances ~ Political Parties ~ Eletions ~ Federalism: State and Local Governments - Special Interest Groups Political Atitudes TV. Education 4s History ~ Control of Education — Goals of Education — Higher Education - Elementary and Secondary Educa ‘ion ~ Standards ~ Adult and Continuing Education ~ Reform and Progress "Functional literacy” V. Economy, Labor,and Welfare 8 Economy The Environment Labor Welfare VI. Transportation -70 Roads Waterways Railroads -The Railroad Today — ‘The Car Culture Aixplaes VILMedia .... pee eee a) Newspapers ~ News Agencies ~ Magazines ~ Books ~ Radio and Television =" Formats VIL. Cultural Lifeinthe United States... . 91 Culture in America or The Old New World ~ The Historical Dimension ~ Transatlantic Routes ~ Chang. ing Places~ New York, New York "Indiana's Musical Mecca" ~ Film - Happy inhday to You - American Food: From Asparagus to Zucchini ~ An Older New World IX.Lifestyles. Typically Amecican? ~ Howdy, Stanger 106 A Friend ia [Need ~ May I Borrow Your Chainsaw’ ~ Hello, 'm Mary ~Can’t You Take Joke? The Ordinary andthe [Extraordinary ~ House and Home Holidays X.Sportsand Recreation ng AllAmesican Spons? ~ Spuus and Muney = Leisure ‘Sports Anything that Has Wheels - National Parks — Vacations References 7 Map of the United States 128 Questions for Discussion 10 Alphabetical Vocabulary and Glossary... 132 Index agpo M43 Listot States 14aI. INSEARCH OF AMERICA ‘Americas so vast that almost everthing said about itis tikely tobe uu, andthe opposite is probably equally rue,” (ames 1, Farrell) In setting out to describe America and the Ameri- cans, it would be tempting to assume that the United States is just another country, and try Wo approach itassuch. [Lisa superpower, to esure: §- atthe same ime, ichasits popukation centers, high and low temperatures, economic statistics, educa tional systems, ans and crafts, polities and prob- Jems, bates and bruises just like any other country. To take this approach, however, would 1 mean ignoring two fundamental problems. Firs, Wwe all carry around in our minds images of ‘America, be they blurred or sharp. As a result, most readers, ike most tourists, set out in search of America wanting to tind what they're looking. 1s for, and are displeased with their guides if they don't find it. Secondly, we all know and certainly fecl that America ~ that dream and that promise, those myths, legends, and hopes ~ is somehow different. The very subject of America attracts 1 opinions and judgments as no other country does. Inapproaching America, therefore, we frst need Aotake a cloner look a these pantheon if we hip tw get closer to the central question of what America is and what it means. This Land Is Your Land? 2s “This land is your land” states a popular song. It {s such a well-known refrain because it is one of the first tunes which many people learn o play on the guitar. Yet this land, America, is not ourland (unless, of course, we are American citizens). »» Sometimes, though, it might very well seem tobe. ‘Anyone who was born in the second half of the twenticth century, and who has lived in a land that displays all the mademn media ~ newspapers and magazines, paperback books and films, vadioy and television, videos and advertisements of 35 every type ~ has grown up with hundreds, even ‘thousands of images of America and American life. Because of this, most Europeans have al- ready been to America, even if they have never placed one foot on American soi. Asa result, itis « rather difficult to introduce people to America, ‘Afterall, they have seen, heard, and read about the United States for most of thet lives. ‘Smokey Bear, weanng a forest rangers ha, x recognized tinoughoutAmericaasa simbolof woodland ive safet A, This land isyourland. ,If we ignore this problem (something that is often done), we can easily find ourselves in an ‘embarrassing situation, It would be like introduc. ing someone to his neighbor after he has lived around the comer from her for the past 50 years corso. “Thank you very much, but we've already met!” He knows her very well, orat least he thinks he docs. To put this differently and a little more directly: just about everyone scems to be an ama 16 teur, armchair expert on America. ‘And why not? Think for a moment about how many old and new American movies you've seen. ‘And there are all those songs you've heard, that inuisie of every type which is sung in American sents, We can't averlsik all the articles which appear every day in newspeapers amd magazine, giving the lacest news, trend, or scandal in the United States. Then there are those special TV documentaries on problems in America and on 20 “the American way of life.” We shouldn't forget the many television series, the cops in the big cities, the cowboys out West, the rich in their beds and boardrooms. Popular pulp novels and even ‘comic books which have American scenes and 25 characters sell well in most countries, too. there ‘re posters, feature films, LP covers, cartoons, arceting cards, bumper stickers (including “Keep on Truckin” and the hundreds which followed the original “I 4 New York” one), sweatshirts ‘and T-shirts with their messages, and graft What is hard to remember is that all of these images and views of America are heard, seen, ead, ot observed susie the United States. We clon't need to listen ta an American radio (ohear American music. American televisio grams are normally seen on European televis stations, and magazines, newspapers, novels, stores, or advertising firms in many parts of the world also publish, create, show, or sell images of 4 America, In short, America does not stop at her borders. In other words, America seems to be everywhere, but everywhere is not America Of course, American images and products are not always weloome, Whether jeans or jaz, rock‘ roll, violent movies, or even those “damn danger fous” skateboards, more than one nation in both Eastand West has tried to discourage, or has simply forbidden the inflow of unwanted Americana, ~"Ttisimportant to understand how this constant +» everyday contact outside the United States with pr 6 things which might seem wo be American has affected views of what America actually is. Is there anyone among us who has not seen a photo- ‘graph of the New York City skyline, the Golden ‘Gate Bridge, oF the Statue of Liberty’ The two ss ‘most watched television series inthe world inthe early 1980s were Dallas and... And The Muppets. of course. making a friendly frog named Kermit as well known to children throughout the world today as a mouse named Mickey or a dog « named Snoopy were to their parents. Even if someone living in England, France, ot Germany tight not know, for instance, who the current Dutch prime minister is, they will probably know hat LR. ivf, BT is gol that New York Citys ig the most violent city anywhere (it isn't even ‘number one in the US.) and chat whiskey is the favorite American “booze” (sorry, i's vodka!) ‘What so many people everywhere just know about the U.S. is amazing’ Most serious students of America, European and American, realize that because so many im- ages of America are such a common, normal part on Sietnherk'c novel The Grapes of Wrath depts the ‘misery of Oklahoma farmers who had to leave thei hommes ‘during the Grea Depression The pnare fom the lm version, starring Henry Fonda.of cultures outside of America, it is almost im- possible to separate the image from the actual, the reutation Crom the reality. Fven before the en es influence Fase Steineck stated dat “the pietureof America and the Amer cans which is branded on the minds of foreigners Is derived im very large pan from our novels, our short stories, and particularly from our moving pictures.” And, he felt, while even “the least informed American” was able to separate fact {rom fiction, daily life from the dream machine of Hollywood, the foreigner too often was unable to do so. That this land is not our land - not neces sanly the hundreds of images we already have of ‘America ~ is something that needs to be kept in mind, F lelevivion, From California to the New York Island Putting this problem aside for the moment (where, of course, it will refuse to go), one ean sage with the many America hooks and eapests tha iis very difficult for a foreigner to grasp the sizeof the US. and the great variety of life which g0es on within it. Infact, one ofthe most frequent eommens made by tourists who have traveled around the country is that they were surprised how bigit is. And they were also surprised at the tremendous variety, when they expected to find ‘everything much the same all over the United Siates. Sil, how can someone who lives in a country which'can be driven across in @ day or two be fiven a fecling for the immense distances of Amerie. or for those "wide open spaces”? If we are used to recognizing the forcigneramong usby his or her color, race, name, accent, or even reli- zion, then how does it feel to five in a nation like the ited States where none ofthese ca tll you ‘an Auevican, Ivey andl Ine"? One commun approach isto wake exmparigons, forinstance, ta say that “San Franciscus abut as far avy from New York City ~ some 4,500 tdlometers- as Parisi from Baghdad.” ‘Such examples help, no doubt, but they also iiss a basic point about the size and variety of America. This is that unlike Paris and Baghdad, From California both American cites are within, and of, the same country and culture. We therefore nced to ime agine what it would be like if Paris and Marseilles ‘were asfarapart as are San Francisco andthe Big Apple. Imagine that we wanted to crus England for instance fon Lives Londons, bt bl as through fous Hine zones, go er thre eo ‘ineatal mowatai ranges, eros Feely hundreds tf vers, snl spend days om the wast, lat racic lands. We would drive past hundreds of lakes, ‘woods, and forests, farms and ranches, the large cites with thei millions, and the small towns that ae jst spots in the middle ofthe road. We would go through the world’s most productive agri cultural regions, and the erowded industrial cen fers. We Would still see enormous stretches of wildemess where motels and gas stations are few and far between. We would need to imagine these things between Liverpool and London. if we wished to havea feclingof what separates the new tothe New York Island| area poptation sensiy umber of (squaremi) (1985 est) (oersaimi) passenger cars | enemy span staan 00a eas 2& tion Oregon 36200 270.000 2 1Smilion | Frmnce 220,000 15,000 000 281 Pi mton Texas 252000 16,000,000, @ Smilion { aly 118.000 57:000000 a 1968s raone 1193500 200.000 2 +6milon | t New World of the West Coast from the old New World of the East and, at the same time, what holds them together. There's another way to get a feeling for the size of America. ake a look at the map of the United States on pages 128 and 129. If you're German, find Oregon, which is just about the same size us the Federal Republic, You can compare some of the facts about this state with those about West Germany (as Americans usually call the Federal Republic of Germany), If you're Prench, then Texas is about right. And Italians might try on Arizona for size. Farthe Dutch, half of Maine will eave tales While European (ourists are so often surprised by how big America really is, most Americans take the size and variety of their country for ‘granted, They don’t find it exceptional to be able to drive thousands of miles and still be able to speak the same, common language along the way, They don't have stickers on their cars which say USS A: what else would itbe? ‘Many non-Americans may be aware of the ‘geographical size of the United States. But itis ‘harder to imagine the enormous amount of vari ty that cxists within the nation. Often students assume a cultural and political homogeneity that ply does not exist in the U.S. That is why simple questions about the United States cannot be answered shortly and simply. Its not possible tu explains in a few words how old Americans rave to be w drive a car (see map, page 9) or hw much income tax they have to pay. New York City residents, for example, must pay federal, state, and city income taxes, while those lucky inhabicants of Concord, New Hampshire, only pay federal income tax. ‘Other aspects of America may be a far more serious challenge to our armchair experts. After 8 hhaving learned that “the buffalo are gone” and the wildlife destroyed, they will find it hard to believe, for example, that inthe state of Pennsyl vvania alone there resome 6,000 bears (not count sng thosein 00s), or that some $0,000 wild horses are still running tree in the western states. Simi- larly, our experts may know the big three of commercial television in America, ABC, CBS, and NBC. Canitreally be true, then, they ask, that PBS ~ a non-commercial, nonprofit public net- work is thelaigest? Many moreeaaniples of this kind could be given, and the point needs to be stressed over and aver ayain hal just about any easnteast and watiely should normally be expected in America, For along period of time ithas been popularto describe the typical American character or even ‘the American Way of life,” as if there were only ‘one. To attempt this with the more homogeneous people and nations of Europe has usually re- sulted in the worst types of clichés and stereo. types. When itis done with America and Ameri- cans, the results have often been disastrous, if not just comical, Wild horses the Bighorn Mountains, WyomingWromiag Bt NS. "ium get Regine ives Leese Stee | Bits ease (86) le Measuring the Distance Thereis another factor, fundamental to un under- standing of the United States, which should be kept in mind when viewing America. American society is the most open and, at the same time, + most intensely and continually self-critical in the world. This openness and this self-critical tradi- ‘ion can shock foreigners who have been taught that one doesn't wash one’s dirty Hinen in publi And certainly, itis often misundersiond by those 1 outsiders who don't know that by tradition and ‘experience, Americans are both cynics and ideal- ‘Any country that was founded on ideals, as the United States was, and that declares them openly \s and defines itself through them, will constantly have to measure the distance between where itis and where it should be. Having stated, for cxample, that “all men are created equal,” the ration is painfully aware that not all Americans 2 arcbcing treated this way. The distance between the reality of life and the hhope for a better one is also the basis of the cern capited Snes oa che map| American Dream. The promise of America for millions of immigrants was, and still i, not that things are better there, but that they could be. ‘What exactly the American Dream is has been hotly argued not only by Americans, hut by the rest ofthe worldas well. Atthesametine, naboaly seems to argue about the Brits Dre,” “the (Canadian Dream,” ara “Tapanese Dream.” This Hehe about America is at the center of what it means to be an American, and the strength of the argument reflects the view that America is differ- ent, or should be. The anger many Americans reserve for their own country comes from this belief. I ig like a continuing civil war, or a great family fight: “We said we should do this! Then why aren't we doing it? Often the most patriotic Americans are also the most ertical of their country. They are most ware of where America has been, where she is now, and where they want her to be, Helpful suggestions from foreign observers are often neither welcomed nor well received: “Thank you very much, but we're quite aware of the prob- Jem!” Actually, however, this is rately said. The 9al! Ue Nia Stee Wa, OU family tends to dress up, and be polite in front of Visitors. But the moment they've gone, the fight starts up again. There is certainly no problem in getting close to tive action and watching the argument. America ‘nol only feucls with all che windows open, it will also provide your with photagesph, « collection of descriptions und batile positions, and long: playing record of the match. Or you can watch it live on TV in your own home. All rocket shots, ‘manned or unmanned, have been broadcast live to the world, whether they ended in triumph, or, like the Challenger shut, in tragedy. News and ‘photographs of the war in Vietnam were sent out across the world through American networks and. American owned news agencies. Watergate and Three Mile Island were also American produc tions. And the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency} isthe best-known, last secret, sceret service in the world. Specific laws require that the windows be kept open, The Freedom of Information Act (1966), for example, means that anyone, not just Ameri= ean citizens, has a right to know what the gover: ‘mest is doing, information that in other counties (with Sweden the notable exception) is protected, by an offical secrets actor is simply “not avail- able." Ac the same time, he Privacy Act (L078) 10 allows all Americans to see whatever information government agencies, federal, state, and local, ‘might have on them. Extensive current statistics on just about any aspect of American life ure freely available, Con: gressmen and similar public officials, cluding the President, are required by law to have all of their tax statements open to the public eye. As soon as they are out of office, they can start their ‘memoirs, naming names and telling tales, No law says that so many years must first pass. The press, too, does not deal kindly with the family fight, and ix known for its aggressiveness. Vast power and iafluence, as public figures have discovered Girne eal apie, anes Tle te the America, Investigative reporting and the “ruck- raking” approuch have nowhere else been so developed. The literature of America has also demon- strated this tradition of self-criticism. American high school students are often required to read such books as The Jungle, The Octopus, or Hiro- shima, Invisible Man, Babbitt, Main Sireet, The Grapes of Wrath, ot The Fire Next Yime. From The Usly American to Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, from Uncle Tom's Cabin and Native Son, and Soul on Ice, to The Fate of the Earth, Catch 22, and The Deer I often biter, self-critical tradition in American literature. All were written by Americans, all be- camebestselleisin the U.S.,and many were made uo movies there. Then they were exported across He world, where they eld be vei andl diss cussed for what they ssid about Ameiva Many Americans fel that such continuingsell- criticism, the terrible attention by the media, the publicizing of things best kept secret, the hunts for ‘scandals, has gone too far. They point out that in few other western societies ean political cartoon- |sts so openly ridicule their leaders. What other govemment, they ask, publishes official poverty statisties? Such things, they conclude, can lead to fan essentially negative picture of the United ‘States. But these Americans soon find themselves in the middle ofthat grcat American family tight. Aslongasthere isthe clash between the ideal and realty in American life, the great family fight will ‘continue to be fought in public, forall to see and heat, and, for some, to be misunderstood, peee in inter there is a continuous,They've All Come to Look for America This brings us tothe last factor that must be kept in mind, the minimum luggage we must have on hand if we want more than just a hurried look at ‘the United States. It1s,ima way, a summary of the other points. Butts still he one that has had the longest. and probably the strongest, effect on ‘America and how she is viewed and pre-viewed. Ittakesusback to Columbus (who “in 1492 sailed the ocean blue"), Italso brings us up to today and those milions of tourists who have gone, and are sill going, in search of America, whether by page and hook, or boat and plane. ‘There isa famous joke about Co been told over and aver again, hy this profes sional historian, or by that recent visitor who, hearing forthe first time, chinks i's new. How- ever ifs an old story to the first Americans, the Indians: dbus. T has Christopher Columbus didn’t really know where he was going (buthe was sure it wouldn't be America). Christopher didn’t really know where he was when he got there (but he was sure that it wasn’t America) Chris didn’t really know s where he'd been when he got home again (but he took some Indians back with him, to prove that he sure hadn't been to America). Since Columbus, load after load of experts have gone to look for America, most with a good idea of what they would find alveady in their heads. Others explored America fiom the cow their own libraries, whese they consuled previen experts Occasionally, one group would arrive and ine form the Invians that they were now under the protection of some distant king or gracious queen. Sometimes they were told that they were alost tribe of Israel. They were praised as simple ‘and beautiful, noble and peaceful. At other times they were persecuted and slaughtered, as it was Quite clear that they were vicious, blood-thirsty savages. Even Dickens, famous for his sympathy with England’s poor, said of the Indian: “I call him asavage, and [calla savage something highly Ulesitahletohecivilized uff the fave ofthe earth. ‘The popular Ameri, which sole as well them as they lo no followed whatever extreme was popular at the ‘me, In some, our hero (French, English, Ger- rman, etc, depending upon who wrote the book) would save the beautiful Indian maiden from the evil hands of whichever group of men (any other nationality, but usually American) was threaten- ing her. When trends changed, out hero would save the beautiful white woman from whatever sr0up of Indians (usually Apache) was threaten ing her. For a long time, all Indians in American and European films met their doom trying to attack and murder peace-loving settlers. Today, ‘rat least forthe time being, it would be hard to find a recent film anywhere which didn’t show Indians asthe victims. But this pattern isn't new. The Spanish explorers brought with hen legenls of vast cities of gold. When they foumd «nly Indian pueblos made of sun-baked mud bricks, they were furious, unl the Indians fel their anger ‘The old Indian story about Columbus, in other ‘words, has never been funny to the natives, ‘The pattem set by Columbus, that i, knowing ‘what he would find, finding what he knew he ‘would, and then proving that he had, seems to have become a kind of model for many of those who have footed him. If finally convinced that they were mistaken (and Columbus never Was), that what they expected to find was not there (and might not be found anywhere), they usually re acted by claiming they had been tricked, Where 1s ‘2 well-known passage, written by J. Martin Evans, that is well worth repeating: “Throughout its history, one could say without too much exag~ eration, America has been taken for something that it isn’t (Asia, the ideal state, the terrestrial patative, to name only the most obvious) and finally emerged” Furopean eomances about 1 Comat wen ity tre etre fas Cultural historians of America have come to see a definite pendulum pattern in how the 5 United States viewed from afar (and sometimes also from within), with extreme swings in both directions. They term this the “land of savagery ~ land of promise” cycle or movement. America could be described as the polluted s land, the despoiler of a yreat wilderness, the in- ventor of the thiow-away culture. Or it could be described as the fist count sae avid national parks, among the fir to han DDT, the culture ‘hac created the word “recyeling,” a nation where « women would be jeered if they wore furs of @ cheetah or leopard. America could be portrayed as a nason of intolerance and hate, or the last refuge for millions, where all religions under the sun are found, Experts could be quoted, Sigmund « Freud analyzed her: “America 15 a mistake. A slant mistake.” Bertrand Russell pruised her: “It 1s evident that the future of civilization and the chief possiblity of hope for mankind is to be found in America.” Her wars could be con- x demned, or her compassion and care empha- sized. We could show pictures of street riots and gang fights, or videos of free open-air rock con- cexts in which 500,000 peuple gather peauetullyi Central Park (*where,” iarfunkel | sing, “they say you should not wander afer dark") I'we with, we can prove without diffi culty that New York City is either a brutal con- crete jungle, or the art capital of the world. Ameri- cans could be characterized as either crude tech- nicians chasing the Almighty Dollar, or those who first set the clipper ships before the winds, and the Calder mobile in motion. That the either/or approach is with us today, as , ‘twas yesterday, 1s clear. Vhat America sneithera ‘vs land where gold is found on the streets nor the land where all streets are filled with soup-lines and drunks, should go without saying. Like Co lumbus, f someone today sets sail for America already knowing what they wil find, then they Will find it, be it riches or grim poverty. Yeti one is willing to give those first Americans (and the nnext and the new) a chance to introduce them- selves, then we stand a better chance of discover- ing where Americas, and who Americans are.) PEERS ne eea| | pAb TATE GE TEE an 25, ee gS tna BSS | | ae he reat vtiwene| | “igure iNetee! Bee RN | oe ae Been || Fs et a Wires EO Fog “Lin Aaa 8 & DOONESBUAY Copy 1972 reas Repeted ih po nf Univeral Prose Syndicate Alvighis reservedII. WE THE PEOPLE “What then A Nation of Immigrants The United States has often been called “a nation of immigrants.” There are two good reasons for this. First, the country was settled, built, and developed by generations of immigrantsand their children. Secondly, even today America con- tinues to take in more immigrants than any other cauntzy in the world. It is not surprising, there Five, that the United States is eaunted among the russ helerangerienns sucieties in the world, Many different cultural traditions, ethnic sympathies, national origins, jations make up“ tthe Amencan, ths new man?” (Michel Guillaume de ‘Caevecveus) Nonetheless, it would be very misleading to view America simply as a collection of different immigrant groups and ethnic or religious loyal- tics. Iti not truc (asi often stated) that there arc more Irish, more Germans, and more Puerto Rit cans living in New York City than there are in Dublin, Frankfurt, or San J New Yorkers think of themselves primacily as Tews, Negroes, Puerin Rican, lalians, Germany, or Irishmen. Rather, among the Americans in New York, there are many who (or whose ances- tors) originally came from Africa, Ireland, Ger- ‘many, or Puerto Rico, and so on. n. Nor dav mastInfact, 94 percent of all Americans today were bor in the United States (as compared, for example, with only 85 percent in 1910). As a ‘esult, those tens of millions of Americans who proudly acknowledge their ethnic roots are till “more American’ than they are Irish, Italian, German, or Puetto Rican. What they have in ‘common is more significa than wheat makes them, as Americans different from onesanother, The “Average American” ‘The variety of ethnic identities, immigration ex- -periences, and cultural choices that have gone into making Americans is so complex, however, that describing the “average American” is very difficult. Our “average American” might be ‘white, but Americans are not “normally” white ‘Most Americans are Christians, but America can not be called “a Christian country.” And a ma- Jority of Americans might claim European an- ‘estry, but this description also docs not define Americans in general. Neither, in fact, does lan- guage. ‘The United States is one of the few countries that has no “official” national langue, Lan- guages. English isthe common language by use, ‘but iis not the national language by law. About 30 million Americans speak 4 language other than English at home. This means, for example, thatifyoumeet an American in New Mexico who speaks Spanish as his first language, he could bea recent immigrant, having arrived inthe U.S. only afew years ago, or his grandparents could have arrived in the United States a hundred years ago. It could also be that his ancestors had been living in the arca years before the thirteen Bntish col ss onies wore estblished on the East Coast, A so called foreign accent docs not ncecssarily mean that an individuals (or even was) a foreigner, The “Melting Pot,” the “Salad Bowl,” and the “Pizza” (Of al che many ifenent reliance a groups which have gone inw the making of America, some have quickly assimilated. They _havelargely lostorintentionally given up many of those specific markers which would make them ‘much different from their neighbors. This process of assimilation, or "Americanization,” ~ becom ing part of the “melting pot” ~has characterized the immigrant experience in American histury, Other Americans have, while becoming Amer can in other ways, myaiutained much of their eth- nic identities. In this sense, US. society has been likened «a “salad bowl” It does not follow, however, chat these Americans are any less aware cor proud of their American nationality. Japanese- Americans provide a well-known example. Al- though their loyalty in World War II was doubted by many of their fellow countrymen, as a group they became the most highly decorated American soldiers fighting in Europe, Perhaps a better ‘metaphor for American society than either “the ‘melting pot” or the “salad bow!” would be that of 1 “pizza” (which has become, by the way, the single most popular food in America). The differ- ent ingredicnts are often apparent and give the whole its particular taste and flavor, yet all are fused together into something larger Still another Factor to consider in describing “the American” is that the face of America is often very rapidly, changing, [eis estimated that by the year 2000, for instance, Hispanics (aterm including all Spanish-speaking Americans, such as Mexican-Americans or “Chi- anos,” Cubans, Puerto Ricans, ete.) will be the largest “mjnority” in the United States. In a num. ber of cities Hispanies will represent the majority of citizens. Creévecoeur's old and often repeated question “What then is the American, this new man” — cannot be answered simply or conclusively. At best, we can say that an American issomeone who meets the legal requirements of citizenship and who considers himself or herself to be an Ameri- ean. And, any person born on American soil automatically has the right to American citizen- ship. Significantly, the older categories of nation: ality brought from the Old World ~ race, lan- guage, religion, and parents’ ancestry — have become relatively unimportant in America. They ‘cane used (o deveribe ait American, but not to define one 15Demographics - the Basic Picture Although it is difficult to paint a picture of the average American today, here is no difficlty in obiaining dats ta describe American society Americans seem (o be fascinated by surveys, re- search studies, questionnaires, and opinion polls which deseribe them and their country. Tons of such demographic material appear each year. ‘The main reason so much informationis available about America and Americans is found in the Constitution. The Constitution of the United States specifies that @ nationwide census, a “head count” of all ‘Americans, must be taken every ten years. The ‘census is necessary to determine what changes there might have been in the population. The ‘umber of representatives each state can clect to the House of Representatives, for example, is itarly, the figures are very important in establishing how much determined by population. Si ‘money from feceral taxes will e returned fo the states, or how much cities will receive in aid from the federal government. Today, the census also gives a wealth of other information on almost any aspect of American life. The information is public and easily available, and anyone interested in accurate descriptive data on the U.S. should con- sull the most recent edition of the Stausneal Ab- Stract of the United States. Here we are interested in baste information about American society, with more specific data giver in other chapters. This type of information, for example, tells us that the United States is a country with an area of 3.6 million square miles and has a population density of only 66 people pet square mile. By comparison, the population density of Waly is 491, that of dhe: Netherlands 918, and that of West Germany 635 people per quite wile. Alsat basie interes is how the U.S. population exn be categorized by cace and ethnic origin The chart shows, among other things, that of the total number of Americans in 1980, about $3, percent considered themselves “white,” 12 per. cent “black,” over 6 percent “Hispanic,” and so on. “Considered themselves" is important, forall these figures were based upon “self-identifica- tion.” In other words, Americans themselves determined with which groups they wished to be 16 nt Population byRace and Spanish Ongin, (1980 Census) Total 226,548,000 write 188,372.000 Black 26.495, 000 ‘American Indian 1.420.400 | Chinese 808,000 | Frpino 1470 | siapanese 701,000 | Asian Indian 361.500 | Korean 35400 | Viotnamece 281,700 Omer races 8,999,200 Spanish origin 1409°000, (Persons of Seanish origin may be otany race.) Source: Statistical Abstract ofthe United | Sao. 9 identified. With the exception of one group, American Indians, there are no official defini tions that can be used to say which American is what, So basically, ay an Amesican, yon ate whit {you say you are. This, hy the way, is also the reason why the figures piven above don’t add up correctly: some Americans obviously felt they belonged to two ormore races or ethnic groups. ‘These national percentages do. no indicate hhow the various groups are represented in the individual states, cities, or communities. As might bbe expected, they are not evenly distributed ‘acrose the nation, In Mississippi, for example, blacks make up about 35 percent of that state's population, whereas in Wyoming they represent less than 1 percent. I the nation’s capital, Wash, ington, D.C., blacks form the majonty, with‘ around 70 percent of the population, while the figure for Los Angeles is 17 percent or around ‘500,000 people. Other groups arc also uncvenly distributed. Hispanic Americans, for instance, ‘epresent only 6.4 percent of the national popula- tion, Yet in Texas about one in every five Ameri- cans (21 percent) is “ol Spanish origin” and is New Mexico ini than ane in three (46.6 per cent), Tn 17 states, Hispumie Americans form the largest “minority.” ‘The American Indian population in the United States increased about 70 percent from 1970 to 1980. Only 1.4 million (0.6%) of the populationcan be legally defined as American Indians. How- ever, some historians believe that this is more than there were when the first European explorers arsived! ies thee New Warldl Al dit Gimme, they claim, about one million “Native Americans were living in what is today the United States Ancestry “The census also determines “ancestry” simply by asking (with no categones provided) “What 1s your ancestry?” and letting people decide tor themselves. On page 18 is a list of selected an- 10 cestry groups. showing how many millions of Americans identified with cach. ‘One of 30,000 people from tribes across the United States shyt Crom Pai ans annaal poe a te pace ‘on reservation lands near Custer Battlefield National Monwment in Montana | Native Americans | teis etimated that some 20 million people in the United States may have some Indian blood However, only about 1.4 million persons identified themselves as Indian (American Indian, | Esvino, and Aleut) in the 1980 census. Just over half ofthese live on or near federal reservations. | “The ves ate scattered throughout the population. No Indian has to stay on a reservation. While | fewer thn 30,40 dans were city cexidents in 1940, today over 700,000 are. Nineteen meleopel- | ‘an areas have 5,000 ur race Tian; the Tas Angeles urban comple Tuas shot 87,000. | ‘The etieria fr tribal membership vary greatly, and are set by the iribes themselves, The Uintah | z» | and Ouray Utesin Utah specify over $0 percent Indian bload with ut least 25 percent Leeblood. The | CCherokeesin Oklahoma will include persons who are lineal descendants tribal membersand who | may have only a small fraction of Indian blood. The Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico consider | the children ofa Santa Clara Indian man married to non-Indian as eligible for membership, but | notthe children of a Santa Clara Indian woman married to a non-Indian. 1 | Only 0 percent ofthe more than 200 Indian reservations have 5000 ot more Indians, the largest | being the Navajo (inthe states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah) with some 166,000 Indians. | Mest ofthe 50) oro tbes and aroups recognized by the U.S. Government have few members. In ‘only five states (Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, nd South Dakota) do Indiuns make up sore than ive percent of the population. Jw | AllAmerican Indians arc citizens ofthe United States.Population by Selected Ancestry Groups (1980 Census) European EEngisn avve000 Gorman 49,224,000 ish 49,186,000 French 2.082.000 Nalin 12,184,000 Seottisn 10,049,000 Patt ‘a72n000 Dutch 6.904.000 Swedich 4,248,000 Norwegian 3aD4,000 | Russian 27ein0 Czech 41392,000 Hungarian 1777000 Wei 1,885,000 Danish 1.518.000 Pantages 024.000 Other: Levanese B00 | Armenian 2ig900 Iranian 123,000 Syrian 107,000 ‘Arabineabian 93,000 Afro-American 20,955,000 Alta 04.000, Chinese 854,000, Filipino "795,000 Japanese roo Korean 377900 Asian Indian 312,000 Vietnamese 215.000 Jamaican 253.000 Hatian ‘0.000 Mexia 7888000, Spanish/Hispanic 2.687.000 Puerto Rican 41444,000 cuban owe | Peminican 71900 Colombian 158000 Speniera 95,000 Ecuadoran 8,000 Savadoran 85,000 waa 27000 American Indian 6.716.000 French Canadian 780,000 Canacian 456,000 ‘This chart, taken from the Statistical Abstract of ‘the United States, shows only some of the many 18 ancestry groups which were indicated by Ameri ‘cans. Once more we are up against the question of what it means to be an American. If you started adding up the totals, you would again discover that there are seemingly more Americans with these particular ancestry groups than there are Americans! This is because many Americans would (and did) choose more than one group. For ‘example, one American woman, white, born in the U.S. in 1945, who spoke only English at home ‘5a child, identified herself as being of “German, ‘Swedish, Scottish, French, Dutch, and English” ancestry when asked. These represent the coun- tries her grandparents and great-grandparents ‘came from. She did not, however, have any spe- cial preference for any of these nationalities. In other words, ancestry does not show whether ar n American Feels an al _Bronps or the eannisies they represen A Majority of Minorities? ‘You might also have noticed that 26.5 millio “Americans categorized themselves as “black. But a smaller number, 21 million, identified themselves as “Afro-American” or “African.” Similarly, only 1.4 million Americans were classi fied as American Indians, When asked to identity their ancestry, however, 6.7 million claimed an ‘American Indian heritage. It Americans are seen only in terms of majorities and minorities, whites and blacks, what isto be done, then, with Ameri- cans who claim Polish or Hungarian ancestry? Are they a “minority? What about Americans Mongolian Amevicancin New Jerey crebrore the binhof Buda nity with: certain»Erica Ward Fen Wand isa sisteen-yearol ih school student who esi a sal town in New York Sate Foran schon hin et se was enh o count teen eeprom ie thease Ate cc sain wees elaine pt aes 2 atonal groups ago, Dutch Gorman shan French [is aa eoseats nes ecaanaee nea |= Raw arooe Catal Chayanne a feos Me pes of ProvexantChrisdan: Bap, ‘oman Mthoas Congegstonatirané Utara. naddion, meot hereon ae Sesh, rer aon ncn abstr omg the New Wortwas Dutch an landedio New Yor, in eh Inemosrecentnigran was German wiocameto Pildephiin aout 848 Of cure 1v | her Creek Indian ancestors have been in America for thousands of years. ‘with Lebanese, Armenian, Iranian, or Syrian ane cestry? There is no special category given for “Jew” or “Jewish,” Would this bean ancestry, an ethnic group, a race, a religion, or even all of these? Some 14 million people of “other races” are also represented in the U.S. Is such a minority category also a minority in itself oF simply an unspecified number of minorities? ‘The vast ma jority of Americans could, if they wished, include 1» themselves among one oF more “minority” eat- cgories or groups. Changing Patterns of Immigration nericans came fiom and when they es not define haw they see themselves today, It is interesting to see, though, how the 2s immigration patterns have changed over time. These changing pattems do affect, and have af- fected, what America is today and how Ameri- cans view the esto the world Between 1861 and 1960, the majority of immi- grants came from Europe. But during the past 25.» ‘years the largest share of immigrants has come from Latin America and Asia. in 1984, for ine stanee, 64,10 immigrants from Europe were legally admitted to the U.S. By contrast, logal immigration from the southem Americas (mainly Mexico, the West Indies, the Dominican Repub- Tic, and Colombia) was 193,500, An additional 256,300 legal immigrants came from Asia (mainly the Philippines, Viewam, Kovea, aul Chins) The millions of “de fart Americus” ad no 9 fone knowsexavtly how aany there really are mare rot included in the figures shown shove. The Census Bureau estimates that there are some three to six million “illegal immigrants” already Legel Immigrants Admitted to the United States by Region of Birth m, 19 /1=1980 i TT America a (Wort ana South)living in the U.S,, about two-thirds of them from Mexico. It is also estimated that more than one and a hall million more illegal immigrants from Mexico are presently eruysing inte the United Suates euch year. ILis not clear what effect 4 new immigration law, passed in 1986, will have on these “illegal aliens." The law gives legal status to those who can prove that they have been in the US. since 1982. This would allow an estimated 1.5 million illegal aliens to qualify for citizenship. ‘What is very clear is thatthe so-called European hentage of America is undergoinga majorchange asmoreand more people irom Latin Americaand from Asian countries enter US. society. Growing numbers of Americans will be able to say that they, ortheir parents or grandparents, ame from these regions. As a consequence, the American view of the world is more likely to be towards the south and west. Immigration Laws Some of these chomges have been fought about by changes in the immigeation laws. Until the 1850s, immigration to the U.S. had been largely unrestricted, with some 90 percent of all immi- grants coming from Europe. Inthe 1920s, num- ber of measures were taken to limit immigration, especially from Asian countries and outhem and caster Europe. The overall number of inmi- grants was limited by law and quotas were set for countries and, later, “hemispheres.” In 1968, this {quota systean was abviishe. Ate anneal Tilt of 170,000 wa se far inmmigrants frame the Fastern Hemisphere and 120,000 for the Western Heri- sphere. Ten years later the separate limits for the wo hemispheres were abolished in favor of a ‘worldwide limit of 290,000 per year. In addition, however, special measures were taken to allow large numbers of refugees from several regions (especially East Asia and Central and South America) to enter the U.S. Thus, the average number of immigrants legally admitted throughout the 1970s was about 430,000 per year. ‘The number jumped to 654,000 in 1980, reflect- ing a new wave of Cuban refugees. In recent years, the number of immigrants officially ad- ‘mitted to the U.S. was around 550,000 per year. The 1986 immigration law, while imposing sift penalties on American businesses thal employ illegal aliens, is wotewonthy for is altennp ta give legal status anu citizenship io those illegal imini- grants who are, in all but law, already Americans. Why They Came~ Why They Come Major changes in the pattern of immigration have bbeen caused by wars, revolutions, periods of star- I pit of strctrruignation laws. ever half a milion people, many of them refugees, fntor the United States every year. AUTH, Coonigh 1980 Peds fl inquirer Reprme wan pr Greate Aleghcresenes,vation, pernecutions, religious imoleration, and, in shor, by any number of disasters which led people to believe that America was a better place to be, More than « million Irish, for instance, s emigrated to America between 1846 and 1851 in, ‘order to escape starvation and disease in Ireland. During the same period, large numbers of other Europeans fled political persecution. And in the 170 another wave of refugees left the political 1 turmoil of eastern and southern Europe to seek freedom and a future in America. ‘The largest streams of European immigrants came between 1900 and 1920, that is, before, after, and during ‘World War I. At other times, for cxample. during 1s the Depression and during World War Il, smaller ‘numbersof immigrants came to the U.S. Since the 16, move and more people have fled the pov- centy and wars in Asia and Latin Ameviea hope of finding better ie in the Vi 9 There is, of course, another side to America’s ethnic pluralism and racial variety, one that ‘Americans, more than any other people, are aware of. The frst slaves brought to what is today the United States arrived in Virginia on board 2 = Dutch ship in 1619. On the eve of the American Revolution, slavery was already firmly estab- lished in what was shortly to be the United States of America. In 1776, probably about a filth of all inhabitants in the British colonies in America 5» were Negro slaves. ‘Between 1777 and 1804, all states in the new republic north of Maryland abolished slavery. However, neither the North nor the South would ‘escape the grave social, economic, political, and %s moval problems that are the heritage af slavery Although the Civil War (1861-1865) brought an end to savery in all of the states, diserieninaion against blacks would continue. Ironically, some ‘counties that were among the greatest slave-trad 1 ing nations for so long, such as Portugal, Spain, and England, have largely escaped the conse- ‘quences which almost all Americans have come to accept as rightly theirs. Americans know that although most oftheir ancestors came to America « bychoice,a great many did not ‘The moral questions associated with immigra- tion remain today, The large number of illegal immigrants pouring over the long Mexican bor et, for example, has led some Americans to call for much stronger estrictions. Yet many of these athe sl States. illegal aliens were living in poverty that is shock- ing even to the poorest Americans. If you are an American whose ancestors were poverty-stricken, saying “no” to such people is very difficult, On the one hand, this immigration provides a safety valve for Mexico. On the other hand, admittedly, some Amencans welcome this source of inex pensive labor. In any case, stopping the vast flow of illegal immigrants is much casict to demand than to do. Whether they are wanted or not, they ‘continue to come. Even as the countries of origin and patterns of immigration change, America’s tradition as a nation of immigrants is not likely end, Anal, ce heritage at ienenigrants andl immi= gration uss tiraught enormous benefits t0 Amerie German inielleciwals whe fled Ger. many afier the failed revolutions of 1830 and 1848, for example, brought with them a liberal tradition that did much to change their newly adopted land. Again, a hundred years later, America was enriched by Jewish immigrants who, seen by many as the “refuse” of the world at the time, have added their brilliance to American culture, education, and science. Many other eth- nic groups have, of course, also added their con- tnbutions to the American Dream, and, by doing so, kept that dream alive,IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES From Lando Pramiga’A Hono the Unied State by Carol Bern and ae (Comper Nepnatadty permission Without a doubt, the American immigration ‘exporienee, then and now. is one of the most important factors in American life. All immiz ‘rants have contributed to the development of + some “typical” American characteristics. Among these are the willingness o take risks and to stike wependence and ope cot Fi the unk Another is atrial feel tha they re Auer vw equally, there is the selfpoearence 3 femora fe Sec = ein ye ee a Bi a a a gs oc ae Setein ae ra =a eee ro acon =e ud 7 2 a eon = erin 941 608 meee is es oie zi =o = it ! ii rte Seprin 2 ie rae he raed tren Cr 25) ae Sins On = (ated Chere ot at veer Siero t] esa Socry ee eebesiaen aS vative, religious supporters of President Reagan would be able to affect national policies in the 19806. Today, however, these fears have proved to be largely exaggerated. The size of America, the tradition of religious toleration, and the sep- aration of church and state by law, as well as the extreme variety of religious backgrounds of Americans have prevented religion from gaining ‘much influence on polities. Especially in com: parison with many other westem countries, the influence of religion on public and political in- stitutions in the United States is minimal. Prosperity and Poverty Describing Americans and American society by race and ethnic background, ancestry, and velig- ious affiliation gives fundamental information about the United States today. Other basic infior- 4 ‘mation is concerned with economic Factors. What does the average American earn and how is in- come distributed? Also important is where ‘Americans live. How many livein urban and how s ‘many in rural areas? What are the largest cities? Approximately 100 years ago, the United States overtook Great Britain to become the rich- st nation in the world. Since then, whether ‘measured by average income or by gross national product (GNP), the U.S. has remained among the wealthiest nations. In 1985, for example, the me= lian family income Fall Americans wes haut $27,700. In other words, one half of ll families eamed more than this amount each year, and one ‘half less. What this means is that, as a whole, the American people are a very prosperous nation. Nonetheless, Americans are very concerned with that percentage of their countrymen who fall below what they consider “a decent standard of, living,” This is not starvation: itis being poor in relation to the rest ofthe nation. Most Americans are troubled by the Fact that some social, ethnic, ‘and racial groups show a disproportionate num Persons Below oficial Poverty Level Year 1980 Allreces 19% 140% White Black 102% 325% 122% 357% 114% 31.9% Spanish 257% 201% pact ‘Source: Statistical Abstract ofthe United St se aber of people living below the official poverty level ‘The “official poverty level” is set by the federal government and adjusted from time to time, This, sisinterpreted as the stage at which a decent stand, ard of ting can no longer be expected. In 1983, for example, the official poverty level for a tour- petson family was $10,989 per year. This amount refers to cared income only. It should be noted u that this poverty figure does not already include any welfare benefits, housing support, aid to clildven, food stamps, Medicaid, or other help fiom federal and state programs. Nor does it include the free school breakfast and! lunch pro 1s gums or the surplus food progeats whicl distri te food free of charge to the poor. ‘Among the areas with many people below the poverty evel is Appalachia, that mountain region Which includes parts of such stares.as West Virgin 1» ia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Thousands of people there need better housing, medical treat- ment, and other services. Much poverty also ests among minonty groups. Ihe average in comes of American Indians, blacks, and Hispan 1 ies continue, asa whole, to be lower than those of whites ‘The fact that a much smaller proportion of ‘Americans are poor today than they were 50, 75, ‘0100 years ago does not provide much comfort for Americans concerned with the problem of poverty. Any poverty rate, therm, iy unaecepl able, although there tay he broad divagreement Moring West an carly pat mg ‘on what to do about it. Some believe the federal government should use its power and money to do everything it can to eliminate poverty and 3s provide for all those who cannot provide for themselves. Others believe that public welfare programs are costly and ineffective, and that they ‘remove incentives for poor people to work, to get the education, training, and jobs which would allow them to help themselves. Many observers ‘maintain that a permanent “underclass” is begin- ning to develop in the United States that is de- pendent on welfare fiom generation & gener ation. The question of which measures might he most effective to help the pour achieve more : incleprendenee nud prosperity continues tbe de- buted xmong Americans. Yet, few Americans today feel that easy answers will be found to these difficult problems. % Mobility - Moving West ‘Where Americans live and where they are moving also reveals how America has changed and is changing, From its very beginnings as a nation, the “population center of gravity” has been mov ing westwards, Thisis the point where the country 33 ‘would balance if only the weight of the popula tion were considered. Early settlers left the original British colonies along the Last Coast and pushed westwards in thin lines along the rivers, and then through the « 5‘The Territorial Growth ofthe United! States, passes, The American frontier chat ing areas with more than two people per square mile from those with fewer Was at one time ust on the other side of the > Appalachian mountains. ‘Then, it was found in the arcas that are today known as the Midwest. Soon it was across the Mississippi. By 1853, the USS. had acquired the entire western part of the country, by purchase, conquest, and treaty. AS 1 more and more people entered these territories, Sill a highly motile soviet. A prefabricated house is delivered by halioptr. « new states were created. In 1890, the frontier was finally and officially declared “closed.” In other words, all areas now had an average of more than ‘wo people per square mile. America’s “manifest destiny,” her mistion to expand her territory all the way across the continent in order to provide room forfuture generations, had been completed. ‘This frontier experience, the gradual but steady ‘opening and settlement of new lands to the west, hhad continued for almost three hundred years. According to the American historian Prederick Jackson Turner, this experience of fust surviving in and then cultivating the vast, wild land! had a dleepand lasting influence on the American char- nacier. Wt sirengthened the spirl of independence: the frontiersmen went head of governments, not behind them. It demanded self-reliance and self- confidence. It encouraged a sense of equality: ‘what individuals could do was more important than who they or their parents were, It brought forth a restlessness, that “wanting to move on,” which many observers still see in Americans today. Itmade Americans more walling to “get up and go” somewhere else in search of something better. It created a certain toughness: those who were Weak, oF lacking in willpower, did not dowell an the fvonties helped! ta slevelap a ef heen frequently sted among Americans. In bac ‘times andl good, they tend tn maveesily fram one part of the country to snather. They seem to setle jinand feel quickly at home wherever they go. America still is a highly mobile society. Be- tween 1975 and 1980, for example, 4S percent of the nation’s families changed their residence. Half of those who moved stayed within the same county. The remainder moved to a different county or state, Of the over ten million adults and children who changed geographic regions during that period, seven million settledin the South and West. In the course of one year (1983-1984) alone, some 39 million Americans moved to a different house. Aud Finally, iL probably icteristie that has also Internal Migration — From Frost Belt to Sun Belt ‘There i no doubs that the bakance of population Jas shifted! away from the North anal Fast to the South and West. This movement is most clearly marked by California's status as the largest state with some 26.4 million people in 1985 (compared with New York State's 17.8 million). The large southwestern state of Texas, with some 16.4 mil lion people (up from 1.2 million in 1970), is the third most populous. In 1940, 11 percent of the {otal U.S. population lived inthe West, 30 percent inthe Midwest, 32 percent in the South, and 2/ ppetcent in the Nowthenst. Forty yeary baer, 19 percent lived in the West, 26 percent in the Midl- west, 33 percent in the South, xnul 22 percent in hie Northeast From 1980 to 1985, the South and West had almost 83 percent of the total U.S. population growth (11 million of 13 million). The fastest growing states during that period were Alaska (+29.7%), —Ariaona(+17.2%), Nevada (+ 16.9%), Florida (+ 16.6%), Texas (+15%), Utah (412.6%), Colorado (+ 11.89%), California (411.4%), and New Mexico (111.3%). ‘This population growth contrasts strongly with that of other (northern and eastern) states which in- creased very little between 1980 and 1985, and factually deercased in some: Massachusetts (413%), Wisconsin (+1.5%), New York (+ 1.3%), Ilinois (+ 0.9%), Indiana (+ 0.2%), Pennsylvania (-0.1%), Ohio (-0.5%), Michigan 1.9% Looking at the population figures af the ten largest cits inthe TS dy, we cam alse see ‘Nome interesting changes. The figures show only the population within the city limits, not the met- ropolitan area ‘Among the “top en” cities, six are in the South and West of the U., namely Los Angeles, Hous ton, Dallas, San Diego, Phoenix, and San Anto- nio. Their inereases in population range from 10 percent (Los Angeles) to 46 percent (Phoenix). With the four northern and eastem cities, the ‘opposite is true: cach of them has lost in popula tion. between 9 and 28 percent of its 1970 total [ tre Ten Largest cites nthe Unttea Staton Rank city Population ion) | \s70 1880 | 5 NewYork. ny 709 7072 | 2 Les Angeles, cA 282 2967 5 Cricago, tL 3369 4.008 | 4 Heuston, 1x 1PM 1a 5 Philadelptia. PA 1949 1.680 8 Detroit, Mi iste 1.008 7 Dalia, 1x a ‘08 8 san Diego, cA 637 878 | 9 Prosnix, AZ 584 70 | 40 Sen Antonio, TX 554 788 1984 Shenange % Black — % Spanish | tisroee) (15807, 58) 7.465 ~ 99 25.2% 19.9% | Sor sat On re pw 2 Sue Um im taro eh | ior ss Grom ‘Sah too Test come | on aie waa ee ee mao ahh ta us 428970 sath |Urbanization Another development thal his continued since the founding of the United States is the gradual ‘but definite movement from rural to urbun ares, from farms and small towns tothe cities and the suburbs. In 1880, about three quarters of all Americans still lived in rural areas. A century later, almost three quarters lived én or around urban areas. These urban areas are, of course, not only huge cities or metropolitan areas with mil lions of people. Unly 17 percent of all Americans live in large cities of $00,000 and more, while 6S percent reside in places with 100,000 or fewer inhabitants. In 1980, there were some 8,500towns with fewer than 100,000 people. In the past ten years or so, there has also been a noticeable movement out of the central cities to tHe subs. fn 1980, in Fact, it was estimated that ‘over 40 preoent of all Americans lived in subus ham areas, [woul he far too early, however, tulle shout a “dectine™ of the great cities, even those of the North that have lost substantia number of their middleclass populations. In many of these cities (Boston is a well-known example), downtown areas are being renovated, made attractive, and are thus regaining middle- lass inhabitants. There is also a notable trend toward so-called urban villages.” ‘These areas are often found, outside the central cities, among the suburbs, They act as small city centers, with businesses grouped around a large shopping mall, and usually include offices, entertainment facilities, public services, parks, and health-care centers as well. In some ways, these "mini-cit change in direction: businesses are now goingto Where their customers and employees would rather live Crime ‘The crime rate in the ULS., which rose dramati- cally in the 1960s and 1970s, has gone down steadily since 1980. Department of Justice statis- tucs show that senous crimes (murder, rape, rob- bery, etc.) declined 7 percent nationwide in 1983 ‘and an additional 4.5 percent the following year, 28 In some areas, for example in New Yark City, crime decieased 17 petvent aver a three-year period, with homicides ancl burglaries down by 10 percent. However, experts who haul predicted as further decline were puzaled when FBI figures for 1985 showed an increase in violent crimes. Public opinion polls show that Americans view crime as one of the most serious problems oftheir society, Several studies have also shown thar the amount of erime, especially violent crime, is fre- ‘quently overestimated. Experts believe that this awareness and fear of crime is largely caused by the great attention itis given in newspapers and on television, and also because violent crime is a popular theme for television series and films. ‘Many Amencans are therefore surprised to learn that, according to Interpol, the “general crime rate per 100,000 inhabitants” for the US. is sig- nificantly lower than that for several other west- em nations such as Sweden, New Zealand, or Denmark, and not much higher than those for West Germany, Austria, or England. Nevertheless, anon all crimes, wnutdes makes the headlines, andl there isn due that Ia ides continue tobe a serious problem in America. The LS. hud a murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) of 8 in the mid-1980s, compared, for instance, with a rate of 7 for Canada, $ for ‘Sweden and West Germany, and 4 for Italy. It ‘makes a difference, of course, where someone lives in America, The murder rates (in 1985) for states such as Texas (13.0), Florida (11.4), and Michigan (11.2) contrast with those for Min nesota (2.1), lowa (1.9), South Dakota (1.8), and ‘North Dakota (1.0). In some pars of the country, above all in decayed, inner-city areas, most people keep their doors locked and do not walk alone at night, In other parts, few people take such precautions. Tn the United States, aselsewhere, the cases of wserime are hotly debated and many reasons Frit suggested. Among these are unemploytest drug-ubuse, poverty, inaulequate police enfurce- ‘ment, ineffective eouns, racial discrimination, consumerism, television, and “a general decline jn middle-class values.” Surprisingly, a major study of crime in the U.S. carried out by North- ‘western University in 1982 found that “the num- ber of poor people in a city is only marginally related t0 property or violent erime.” In otherIn 1984, the American Postal» Soruice Ianoved the nation wide drive to reduce cvime with the four af 0 cammemararse stamp depicting MeGraf, the deg dorrtve words, American cities with a higher rate of une employment ancl poverty da not necessarily also have x higher erime rate “Many experts are coming to believe that only s grass-roots efforts to improve community life overall will have a lasting effect. Many com- ‘munities across the nation have started their own campaigns against crime, encouraging their Citizens to participate in crime-prevention pro «grams and to report crimes. Several civil nights groups actively support such “self-help” cam- ptigns. In some neighborhoods, citizens partici- patc in “neighborhood watch” programs and or- Changes ‘The Civil Rights Movement, which had fought ts ‘most bitter battles in the 1960s, also led to action and protcstin many other arcas. Women who had taken part in many of the nationwide civil rights activities became more aware of, and involved in ‘changing, theit own situation, and the biases aud prejudices with which they were faced. Ou the average, they earned less than men. Their average eahueatiowoal fevel was. lw they were discriminated agains! in hoth law (For example, divorce cases) and financial matters (for ‘example, getting a loun). The Constitution (in the 14ch Amendment) might say that all “persons” hhad equal rights and protection under the law, but in practice, men were often “more equal.” Why, for example, were fewer women enrolled in the ‘medical and law schools of the nation’s univer sities? And why, for that matter, were women in the military usually found in secretarial or nursing roles? Progress in many areas can only be judged state by state, for the states control such important and in anne coe ‘ganize groups to patrol the streets. areas as marriage and divorce laws, and most Gun Laws Opinion polls show that most Americans fee! handguns are responsible forthe high murder rates. A ‘majority of Americans, some 70 percent, favor laws which would ban the private ownership of all «|| handguns. At present, there are about 23,000 state and local gun laws and ordinances throughout, the U.S. Some states only prohibit carrying concealed handguns; in others owners must register all handguns and have a license to carry them, either open or concealed. In some communities people arenot allowed to own any handguns. Aithough most Americans would like to forbid the owning of handguns, there is still no single « | federal law to that effect. Perhaps the major reason for this is the lobbying efforts of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its three million members. They cite the Second Amendment to the Constitution (*... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”). They argue that about half of the some 120 million firearms in the U.S. are owned by hunters, and their slogan. claims that "Guns don’tkill, people do.” | Those in favor of a national law point out that the Second Amendment begins with the phrase “A well-tegulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state...” This goes back to the time whentseven out of the original thirteen colonies required all males toservein the state militias. When needed, ner serveal as availability of guns simply leads (a (oo many deaths. AC present, # national law forbidding the ss | ownership ofall guns appears unlikely. However, more states snl communities will probably pass their own much more restrictive laws in the Future. itizen soldiers.” This, they conclucl, iy no longer the case, and dhe easyWOMEN'S ENROLLMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION, 1960-1984 (sa perceotage of total enrollment) ~ wee ‘Autumn 1986. Copyright 1800 by the. Woodrow Wise inna eae LL i tas Have women “displaced” men in colleges and professional schols? Yes and ‘no Overall, enrollments of women and men have grown rapidis But at some lite institutions, eg. the Harvard Dusiness School. women have increased ‘hey nusnbers at the expense of mer. work legislation. As a more general indication, the chart above shows some changes in the per- centage of women studying for professional de- grees. One could also note that today about 10 + percont of the all-volunteer military forces in the US. are women. The proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) fatled to be ratified by enough states, and ‘many believe that some women did not really vw Want full equality under the law. They feared, pethaps, that divorec laws which treated men and ‘women equally would often leave women with the children and very litle else. Others argue that the ERA failed because too many men used such 30 fears as an excuse t protect their own interests Despite the failure of the ERA, the fact that many ‘women are taking their convictions to court has hhad 2 deep effect not only on how women are being treated but also on the attention their de- ‘mands have received. ‘Overall, two major trends can be seen. First, there are now more laws which specifically pro- tect women against discrimination. As a result, there have been a large number of law suits in which women claim, for instance, that a man was sgivena position although a woman was cqually or better qualified. During the last decade, carcer ‘opportunities for women have markedly im- Women demonstrate n front of the White House for pas- Sage of the Equal Rights ‘Amendment (1976)A New Yerk City plicewoman. Many 1p of empay iment formerly reseredtomsen,arenow open to women, proved as a consequence. Secondly, there has been a gradual, but general, improvement in how ‘womien are seen and treated in society. No one today, for example, seems surprised to see woman diving a truck, working as policeman, tor asa high school principal, Finally, tbe move to ‘complete equal rights under the law has also led to a better understanding of some of the worst forms of sexual discrimination. For example, ‘most American cities now have special health, paychiatric, and legal staff to aid in rape cases. Many support houses for abused women, and ‘cases involving sexual harassment are being more Actively prosecuted in many parts of the county. Despite a serie of recessions, the civilian labor force grew by 37 percent between 1970 and 1984, Between 1982 and 1988, more than 10 million new jobs were created. Reflected in these figures isa sharp rise in the proportion of women who work. In 1950, about two-thirds of American women were housewives; tent years later, about all were c More dean (wonthirds oP dhe women between 25 and 44 sre employed, and some 55 percent of married women with children work outside the home today. The proportion of women in the total labor force, presently about 44 percent, is expected to continue growing until the year 2000, ‘Over 70 percent of all American households (some 84 million) in 1982 were “families Households with only one or two members in creased from 46 to 55 percent of all households A Baltanore entrepreneur. In 1985, more women thar men Started theron business, 3hbetween 1970 and 1982, while houscholds with five or more members dinpped from 21 to 12 percent. Today's Americans marry later, have fewer children, and divoree more really, How ever, wlmost three-fourths of those divarced hater remarry. More Americans are also raising chil- Gren alone. Between 1960 and 1983, the number of “single-parent” households increased by 175 percent, one-person households by 173 percent, and households composed of unmarried couples by 331 percent. The most striking change con- tamed in these figures isthe inerease in families with a female head and no husband present. The ‘number of unwed mothers, too, jumped from half 1 million in 1970 to almost 3 million in 1982. While fiftcen years ago, 40 percent of all house holds consisted of husband, wife, and children, that figure has dropped to 28.5 percent. ‘These changes have caused concen among, many Americans. Some feel that traditional values ave eroding anal that the center af Ame a life, the nuclear family, isin danger. Others, however, believe that such developments reflect 4 liberalization in American life. For example, they point out that changes in divorce laws in many sates have made it easler to be divorced. They 32 also claim that the once strong social taboos against against “legit lows and are things of te past ‘There ure several other significwnt forces which are transforming American society today. For ‘example, the "baby boom” generation (the some 27 million Americans born between about 1945 and 1964) is becoming middle-aged. For the first time in American history, there are now more people who are 63 and over than teenagers. By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be over 65, compared with slightly more than one in eight today. This aging of the population will have considcrable impact on American society its in- stitutions, services, and economy. This look at several fundamental ways of de- scribing Americans has shown, above all, that what America is today, is very amch iffesent frown what it was even 1 few decades ayo, The fonce dominant picture of America and Ameri- ‘cans 3s mainly British in ancestry ~ with just a few ‘other European nationalities, and small number of “minorities” ~ Protestant in religion, and hav- ing ts largest cities and centers of power alongthe East Coast, is badly out of date, di couples Tiving tagether, or ue” children, have brokenIl. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT “Americans area nation bor ofan idea; not the place, but the] idea, rented the United States Gowerament ‘A New Nation In 1776, the thirtecn weak British colonies in ‘America came together, stood up, and told what was then the world’s greatest power that from now on they would be free and independent sates. The British were neither impressed nor nue, ancl bitter six-year war followed, the Revolutionary War (1776-83). 1S hard @ aps preciate today, over two centuries later, what 2 revolutionary act this was. A new republic was ie founded, turning into reality the dreams and ideals ofa few political philosophers. Americans broke with an age-old tradition, and so sent shock waves back across the ocean: they decided that it was ther right to choose their own form of gov’ 1 emment. AC that time, the statement that govern: ments should receive their powers only “from the consent of the governed” was radical indeed. Something new was under the sun: a system of government, in Lincoln's words, “of the people, x bythe people, for the people.” The Constitution and the Bill of Rights The former colonigs, now “the United States af America,” first operated under sn agreement called the Anicles of Confederation (1781). It was soon clear that this loose agreement among ss the states was not working well. The central, federal government was too weak, with to0 few (Thendore H White) powers for defense, trade, and taxation. In 1787, therefore, delegates from the states set int Phil- adelphia. They wanted to revise the Articles, but they did much more than that. They wiote 3 completely new document, the Cons which after much argument, debate, andl carne offi- promise was finished in the Same year sn cially ndopled by the thirwen states by 1790. ‘The Constitution, the oldest stil in force in the world, sets the basic form of government: three separate branches, each one having powers (“checks and balances”) over the others. Itspec- iffes the powers and duties of each federal branch of government, with all other powers and duties belonging tothe states. The Constitution has been, Deawng by? Stier © 1982 Then Yoreer Magazine ne WV p “Remember gentlemen, we aren't here just to drafta consttion, We've here odraf he bes darned ‘constitution i the world.” 3Brepeatedly amended to meet the changing needs of the nation, but itis still the “supreme law of the land.” All governments and governmental saroups, federal, state, and local, must operate ‘within its guidelines. The ultimate power under the Constitution is not given to the President (the ‘executive branch), orto the Congress (the legisla tive branch), orto the Supreme Court the judicial branch). Nor docs it rest. as in many other coun- tries, with a political group or party. It belongs to “We the People,” in fact and in spirit, Inthis way, Americans firsttook for themselves the liberties and sights that elsewhere were the privileges of an elite few. Americans would man- 1s sage hein own aft in their awn interests, They would elect their own representatives ant make their own laws, And, of course, they would mike their own mistakes. They stated in the first ten Constitutional 2» Amendments, known together as the Bill of Rights, what they considered to be the fundamen- tal rights of any American. Amongthese rights are the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to peti % tion the government to correct wrongs. Other rights guarded the citizens against unreasonable searches, arrests, and seizures of property, and established a system of justice guarantecing or- ely legal procedures. This included the right of : tery \= Drewing by Meher @ 1902 Teen Wuke Magazin “ tial by jury, thats, being judged by one's fellow citizens. ‘The great pride Americans have in their Con- stitution, their almost religious respect for it, ‘comes from the knowledge that these ideals, free. ddoms, and rights were not givento them by asmall ruling class. Rather, they are seen as the natural unalienable” rights of every American, which had been fought for and won. They cannot be taken away by any government, court, official, or law. ‘The federal and state governments formed under the Constitution, therefore, were designed toserve the people and to carry out their majority wishes (anal ot the ler way avon). One ing, they did not want their government to do isto mule them, Americans expect their goveraments to serve them and tend to think of politicians and governmental officials as sheirservants. This att- tude remains very strong among Americans today. ‘Over the past two centuries, the Constitution hhas also had considerable influence outside the United States. Several other nations have based their own forms of novernment on it. Its interest ‘ng to note that Latayette, a hero of the American Revolution, drafted the French declaration of rights when he retuned to France. And the United Nations Charter also has clear cchoes of ‘what once was considered a revolutionary docu: meant. The American System of Government The governmental systems in the United States ~ federal, state, county, and local ~are quite easy to understand. They are quite easy to understand, thatis, if you grew up with them and studied them in school. One foreign expert complained, for example, that the complexity of just the cities’ political and governmental structure is “almost unbelievable.” [he “real Chicago,” he explained, “spreads over 2 states, 6 counties, 10 towns, 30 cities, 49 townships, and 110 villages. Overlaid upon this complex pattern are 235 tax districts and more than 400 school districts...” There are, however, several basic principleswhich are found at all levels of American govern. ‘ment. One of these is the “one person, one vote principle which says that legislators are elected from geographical districts directly by the voters Under this principle, all election districts must have about the came number of residents. Another fundamental principle of American government 1s that because of the system of ‘checks and balances, compromise in politics is a ‘matter of necessity, not choice. For example, the House of Representatives controls spending and finance, so the President must have its agreement for his proposals and programs. Ile cannot de- clare war, either, without the approval of Con- gies. In foreign affairs, he is also strongly Tinted. Any tray nist Fest be 9 wowed hy the Senate. IC there is no approval, there's ne treaty ‘The ruleis “the President proposes, but Congress disposes.” What a President wants to do, there- » fore, is often a different thing from what a Presi- dentis able to do, Congress Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 Sena {ors, two from each state. One third of the Sena tors arc clected every two years for six-year terms af office, The Senators represent al ofthe people ina sate and their interests. ‘The House has 435 members. They are elected every Iwa years for Lworyear terms, They repre seut the paputation of “congressional districts” ito which each state iy divided. The number of Representatives from euch state is based upon its population. For instance, California, the state with the largest population, has 45 Representa tives, while Delaware has only one. There is no limit to the number of terms a Senator or a Rep- resentative may serve, ‘Almost all elections in the United States follow the “winner take-all” principle: the candidate ‘who wins the largest umber of votes in a Con sessional districts the winner. Congress makes all laws, and each house of Congress has the power to introduce legislation. Each can also vote against legislation passed by the other. Because legislation only becomes law if The House of Representatives messin he laf wing of the Capitol. and the Senate occupies the ight wing. Before a silewas elected foranew national pital andthe govern ment tuldings were consiucted there, Congress met i the former County Courthouse n Philadephia. both houses agree, compromise bevween them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes and how money is spent. In addition, it regulates com- merce among the states and with foreign coun: tries. It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens, ‘The President ‘The President ofthe United Statesis elected every four years to a four-year term of office, with no ‘mote than two full tims allowed. As is teue wil Senators and Representatives, the President is lected directly hy the voters (through state elec ters) Te ctler were, he polite purty wih he most Senators and Representatives does nor cchoose the President, This means that the Presi- dent can be from one party, and the majority of those in the House of Representatives or Senate (or both) from another. This is not uncommon. ‘Thus, although one of the parties may win a ‘majority in the midterm elections (those held ‘every two years), the President remains President, even though his party may not have a majority in either house. Such a result could easily hurt his ability to gc legislation through Congress, which ‘must passall laws, but this is not necessarily so. In any case, the President's policies must be ap- 35the White House has been the residence of American residents since 1800, proved hy the House of Representatives and the Sense hefre they can hecome law. In dounestic as well xs in foreign policy, the President can seldom count upon the automatic support of Congress, even when his own party has a majority in both the Senate and the House. Therefore he ‘must be able to convince Congressmen, the Rep- resentatives and Senators, of his point of view. He ‘must bargain and compromise. This is a major difference between the American system and those in which the nation’s leader represents the majonity party or partis, that is, parliamentary systems. Within the Exccutive Branch, there are a num- ber of executive departments. Currently these arc the departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Jus- lice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Hunan Resources, Housing and Usha Development, Transportation, Rneryy, and Education. Each department is established by law, and, as their names indicate, each is responsible for specific area. The head af each department is appointed by the President. These appointments, however, must be approved by the Senate. None of these Secretaries, as the depart ‘ment heads are usually called, can aleo be serving in Congress or in another part of the government. Each is directly responsible to the President and only serves as long. as the President wants him or 36 her 1 They ean beat be seen, therefore, Presidential assistants andl advisers. When they meet together, they are (ermed “the President's Cabinet.” Some Presidents have relied quite a bit ontheir Cabinets for advice, and some very litle The Federal Judi Ty The third branch of government, in addition to the legislative (Congress) and executive (Pre dent) branches, is the federal judiciary. Its mai instrument is the Supreme Court, which watches over the other two branches. It determines whether or not their laws and acts are in accord ance with the Constitution, Congress has the power to fix the number of judges sitting on the ‘Court, but it eannot change the powers given to the Supreme Court by the Constitution itself. The Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and cight associate justices. They are nominated by the President but must be approved by the Senate. Once approved, they hold office as Supreme Court Justices for life. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot he appealed ta any other court Neither the President nor Congress can change theirdecisions. In addition tothe Supreme Court, Congress. has established 11 federal courts of appeal and, below them, 91 federal district courts, The Supreme Court Building was completed in 1935. -efre tha datethe Court had te chambers nthe Capt.‘The Supreme Court has direct jurisdiction in only two kinds of cases: those involving foreign