The American Dream is under scrutiny. But it just needs a bit of a facelift.
The American Dream has long been a cornerstone of our national identity—“as American as jazz or baseball,” as one recent article puts it. But in today’s rapidly changing world, what does the American Dream mean to independent voters, and how is it evolving?
A Dream Rooted in Opportunity
Historically, the American Dream has been defined as “the belief that every citizen in the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” It’s a vision that reflects the ideals of freedom, equality, and individual agency.
From George Washington to Steve Jobs, American history is filled with stories of individuals who rose from humble beginnings to achieve greatness. These stories exemplify the Dream’s promise: that anyone, regardless of background, can succeed.
Independent Voters and the Evolving Dream
At the Independent Center, our research shows that independent voters—especially younger ones—are reshaping the American Dream to fit modern realities. While older generations may have seen the Dream as a suburban home with a white picket fence, younger Americans are redefining success.
Younger generations think that home ownership, retirement security, and starting a family were easier for older generations. Yet, despite financial challenges, including those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, young people still believe in the importance of the American Dream.
The Rise of Hustle Culture and Grit
Modern independent voters are embracing entrepreneurship, side hustles, and diversified income streams. This shift reflects a broader cultural embrace of what Angela Duckworth calls “grit”—the power of passion and perseverance.
Modern day slang would call this hustle culture and it’s a defining trait of the modernized American Dream.
Optimism in the Face of Change
Historian James Truslow Adams once wrote that the American Dream is “not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable.” This vision still resonates today, especially among independent voters who value individual achievement over inherited privilege.
The American Dream Is Alive—and Independent
At its core, the American Dream is about possibility. And while its symbols may change—from picket fences to passion projects—the spirit remains strong. Independent voters are proving that the Dream is not only alive but evolving to meet the needs of today’s America.
Just like the American Experiment generally, the American Dream is alive and evolving to meet the needs of Americans today and in the future.
