Hail Caesar
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In the late 18th century the United States of America was founded on the monumental principles of equality and equity for all beings (Slavery was the exception). America's constitution provided her citizens with many freedoms that were a rarity in a world of many monarchies. Countless immigrants fled Europe and its deep-rooted prejudices to the freedom and classless society of America. However America was far from being purely egalitarian in any sense. According to Jack Solomon's "Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising" America was "communally egalitarian andcompetitively elitist" (121). Although America did not share the "subtle class signs" such as speech and physical attributes of Europe, American society achieved "class signs" by distinguishing those who could afford the culture's finest amenities and those who could not. (Solomon 123). To this day not a single nation can boast a truly egalitarian state free from any elitist tendencies because these qualities are so interconnected as equality causes elitism.
Before an introspective analysis can take place the terms elitist and egalitarian must be firmly cemented. In the context of this paper the term "elitist" refers to society's innate desire to achieve stature and recognition catapulting them to a position of power...