"미국인의 생활방식"의 정치적 이력

Abstract

This paper shows that the American way of life refers to much more than the cultural consensus of mid-20th-century America. In particular, it argues that the hackneyed phrase has a political significance more distinct than is suggested by the existing literature. This argument is based on an investigation into the rise of that phrase and a survey of its current usages as well. The phrase obtained currency in the mid-1930s when Americans endeavored to shape a program that would lead the US back to prosperity. In 1934 the American Liberty League began denouncing the New Deal that was allegedly threatening independent individuals, free enterprise and the American way of life, of which Alfred M. Landon made repeated use in his 1936 presidential campaign. F.D.R. won the campaign in part by reprehending giant corporations that were bringing unexpected changes to the American way of life as well as to Americas material life. Today, Americans find the commonplace phrase more often in the periphery of their political world than in the center. It is frequently mentioned in the Tea Party movement that cherishes neo-liberal values preached by Ronald Reagan. On the other hand, it is in constant use among the People for the American Way who seek to keep alive the ideals of the liberation movements of the 1960s.