American Individualism: The Second Half Of The 20th Century

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The 20th century has truly become the century of the self since the focus on individual needs and individualism has become the prevailing driver in motives of people. At the same time, the documentary’s idea that the government and politicians have started to use the self and selfish interests of individuals in their political games to take control over masses is quite noteworthy. At any rate, by creating selfish needs and satisfying their needs politicians, according to the director of the documentary, control masses. This idea mirrors the traditional individualism of the American culture but individualism or focus on one’s self is not the invention of the second half of the 20th century. In this regard, I would distinguish the traditional American individualism from the artificially constructed focus on self-interests as the documentary suggests. …show more content…
However, I would not fully agree with such perspective on the American individualism and its use by politicians. I would not develop a sort of conspiracy theory as the documentary’s director attempts to do to present Americans as mere puppets in hands of politicians, who use mass media and self of Americans to reach their ends. Ironically, politicians also reach their selfish ends. Instead, I would like to emphasize that selfish interests and individuals are absolutely natural for Americans and they comprise a part of American culture and

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