Freedom, equality, and justice!

These are not just words. These are the core values that our forefathers have encapsulated to create the United Nations of America.

But, if we look at our precious and beloved country now, we often see these values and the commitments that our forefathers have made for the betterment of this land. From increasing private interest over the public to discrimination, increasing crime, injustice, and disparity, the battle for America’s future is a battle for its narrative that we should fight and win.

As Paul L. Nevins argues in “Private Affluence and Public Squalor: Social Injustice and Economic Misery in America,“ those who control the narrative control the outcomes. And for decades, a powerful narrative has been constructed to justify the hollowing out of our public and community sphere.

This narrative draws heavily on the philosophies of John Locke and Adam Smith. They are selectively construed to support extreme individualism and a focus on private property; proponents of laissez-faire capitalism have been misrepresented to support unbridled global inequality.

Locke believed that the primary purpose of government was to protect property. Smith, too, saw government as a tool to protect the wealthy. However, these ideas, born in the context of 17th and 18th-century Europe, have been transformed and distorted in the American context—and the results are not so good!

Fueled by myths of the Wild West and the writings of Ayn Rand and Friedrich Hayek, these philosophies have evolved into a philosophy that glorifies selfishness and demonizes collective action and interest. For example, this extreme individualism has been further amplified by societal changes. This includes the fragmentation of communities and the rise of social isolation.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of misinformation have only exacerbated these trends. Such instances erode trust in our institutions and deepen our sense of isolation. On the other hand, billionaire ideologues and their networks of foundations and think tanks have successfully propagated this ideology and shaped public discourse and policy debates—making the economic landscape of America more uncertain.

Their goal? It is to undermine the role of government. They want to dismantle the social safety net and promote a vision of a society where private interests reign supreme, and the public will only lead to downfall. On a not-so-good note, they have successfully fostered skepticism towards the government, rolling back social programs and stymieing efforts to expand themselves and their neglecting ideologies—to their benefit and interest.

As Paul Nevins argues, it is a society where private affluence thrives while public services decay. This imbalance threatens the very foundations of our democracy and is currently leading to the rise of authoritarianism and manipulation.

To counter this trend, we, as Americans,  must reclaim our narrative and redefine our understanding of our founding ideals. We must recognize and acknowledge the constitution that will ultimately benefit the public and their interests. Locke and Smith’s philosophies, while influential, are not immutable truths. These ideologies were twisted to gain control over the weak and those who are less fortunate. Therefore, we must acknowledge the importance of collective action and the role of government in promoting the common good once and for all.

We must embrace a society in which everyone is accountable to one another and reject the idea that selfishness is a virtue. Only then will we be able to reestablish the equilibrium between the public and private spheres and bring the American Dream back to life.

For more information and insight, please read Private Affluence and Public Squalor: Social Injustice and Economic Misery in America, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9N39B.