An American Dilemma by Gunnar Myrdal - Summary

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This is a summary of the following short excerpt from the book -
 

America is overwhelmingly paradoxical. In spite of this, Americans are united by an "American Creed" held by everyone. Dominant American ideals are explicit, even though politics are not successful in abiding by these. The ideals are powerful and ingrained into every aspect of American life. They are so ingrained that American Negroes, a group against which there is very much discrimination, partly believe it themselves.

This "Creed" which promotes individual rights emerged at a time when America was fighting for independence. Its set of ideals continues to be the basis and impetus for all wars. America saw itself as a unique and unprecedented phenomenon of democracy, which learned from mistakes of the past to create an egalitarian future. America was happy to support revolutions in other countries which followed the "Creed".

Despite "old Americans" being favored socioeconomically and politically over immigrants and foreigners, American society is not "rigidly stratified". This is due to the ideals held so strongly. While America is conservative in principal, its ideals are liberal and the surfacing of these ideals inspires periodical change. The Creed is "humanistic liberalism".

Liberty and equality are two warring ideals. Liberty makes possible the exploitation of the strong by the weak, whereas equality is the struggle of the weak to attain the standing of the strong. "Equality is slowly winning", helped considerably by the New Deal in the 30s.

The myth that all colonies were erected in the New World to gain religious freedom which was not possible in the Old has been historically disproven. However the belief in the myth is strong and helped the ideal of liberty along. Religious revivals have upheld this myth. America is the most religious country in the world, identifying its ideals with religious and Christian ideals. Also, Americans are mostly of lower class origins which helps perpetuate these ideals.

The Creed is influenced also by English law. The ideas of liberty and equality and property originated in England and took full root in America.

Therefore, ideologically there is no Negro problem. Practically, due to lack of adherence to its own ideals, it exists. This is the paradox in America.

The American Creed is basically just a set of humane ideals.

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Interesting snippets:

·     Lucid, perceptive and shows impressive periodical analysis

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