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Material circumstances
the economic conditions
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Historical situation
social, political, ideological atmosphere generated by material conditions
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The American Dream
financial success is simply the product of initiative and hard work
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False consciousness
when an ideal functions to mask its own failure
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Classism
An ideology that equates one’s value as a human being with the social class to which one belongs
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Patriotism
an ideology that keeps poor people fighting wars against poor people from other countries
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Religion
“the opiate of the masses” an ideology that helps to keep the faithful poor satisfied with their lot in life or at least tolerant of it
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Rugged Individualism
a cornerstone of the American Dream, is an ideology that romanticizes the individual who strikes out alone in pursuit of a goal not easily achieved, a goal that often involves risk and one that most people would not readily undertake.
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Consumerism
“shop till you drop-ism” another cornerstone of the American dream, an ideology that says “I’m only as good as what I buy.”
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Use value
what a commodity can do
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Exchange value
the money or other commodities a commodity can be traded for
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Sign-exchange value
the social status a commodity confers on its owner
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Commodification
the act of relating to objects or persons in terms of their exchange values or sign-exchange value
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Conspicuous consumption
when someone purchases and displays costly goods or services excessively in order to impress people with their wealth
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Imperialism
the military, economic, and /or cultural domination of one nation by another for financial benefit of the dominating nation with little or no concern for the welfare of the dominated
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