How the entertainment narrative of upward mobility distorts the harsh economic realities in America
In an age of growing wealth disparities, politicians on both sides of the aisle are sounding the alarm about the fading American Dream. Yet despite all evidence to the contrary, many still view the United States as the land of opportunity. The American Mirage addresses this puzzle by exposing the stark reality of today’s media landscape, revealing how popular entertainment media shapes politics and public opinion in an increasingly news-avoiding nation.
Drawing on an eclectic array of original data, Eunji Kim demonstrates how, amid a dazzling array of media choices, many Americans simply are not consuming the news. Instead, millions flock to entertainment programs that showcase real-life success stories, such as American Idol, Shark Tank, and MasterChef. Kim examines how shows like these leave viewers confoundingly optimistic about the prospects of upward mobility, promoting a false narrative of rugged individualism and meritocracy that contradicts what is being reported in the news.
By taking seriously what people casually watch every day, The American Mirage shows how rags-to-riches programs perpetuate the myth of the American Dream, glorifying the economic winners, fostering tolerance for income inequality, and dampening support for redistributive policies that could improve people’s lives.
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
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Information
Publisher
Princeton University PressYear
2025Print ISBN
9780691267203
9780691267197
eBook ISBN
9780691267234
Table of contents
- Cover
- Series Page
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1. Pictures in Our Head
- 2. Entertaining Nonpartisan Hearts and Minds
- 3. A Tale of Two Media
- 4. America’s Got TV
- 5. Powerful Signal
- 6. Meritocratic Dilemma
- 7. The Entertained States of America
- Notes
- References
- Index
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Yes, you can access The American Mirage by Eunji Kim in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Politics & International Relations & Political History & Theory. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.