The Self-Made Society

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Description

From the celebrated cowboy gunslingers of the Wild West to the rags-to-riches story of Horatio Alger, Americans have glorified the rugged, self-reliant individualist who saves the day or builds a fortune. But what are the long-term consequences of seeking personal gain and glory? Are we becoming a selfish nation, more concerned with personal fulfillment than the common good of the larger society? This program examines the shift toward cultural and social isolation, particularly as it relates to major national problems such as crime and punishment, the national debt, environmental issues, and welfare reform. Featured in the program are former New York governor Mario Cuomo; Nadine Strossen, President of the American Civil Liberties Union; and sociologist Robert Bellah, author of The Good Society.