American Values, as described by the U.S. government
American Values, as described by the U.S. government
Monday 🩳 No. 5
Values are invisible and gorilla glue sticky. They are embedded in the bedrock of any society - or to use the metaphor often attributed to anthropologist Edward T. Hall - the deepest part of the iceberg.
Given their elusive nature, you can imagine my surprise when I googled “American value system” last week and one of the first results was directly from the U.S. Department of State.
Within a course titled “So You’re an American?” is a document with a neat one pager on each of America’s core values.
Like, what? In the business world it’s impossible to escape the values document they want each employee to have memorized and yet here I am reading a values document from my own - very nationalistic - country for the first time in my life. How am I just now discovering a document like this exists? Also, this course from the state department is specifically created for Americans who may need to answer “difficult questions” about American culture while working abroad. And fair enough, I was born here and have similar such questions.
I plucked a sentence or two from each one-page description:
American Values, as outlined by the United States government
1. Independence
In summary, this notion of independence creates the opportunities for people to determine their own lifestyles free from government control and social conventions.
Freedom!! Except the 50% of the population with a woman’s body.
2. Equality
This notion of egalitarianism also originates from Thomas Jefferson’s quote in the Declaration of Independence, stating “all men are created equal.” Most historians believe that Jefferson, influenced by the European Enlightenment, meant “humanity” when he wrote this, but others believe that he did mean to exclude women, children, and slaves.
Regardless of what Jefferson meant (though we know he meant white men), this value reflects something much more aspirational than our current reality.
3. Individualism
Americans also believe that they have a fair degree of control over their lives; that their actions can change or influence their circumstances
Individual Americans might not see themselves as representative of American culture, but rather perceive themselves as people with unique behaviors, values, and beliefs.
We love the idea of control. We love thinking we are special.
Social critics, on the other hand, point out that our focus on “me” has eroded the “we” concept needed for community cohesion….As such, they are becoming lonelier and more isolated, much to the deterioration of the social fabric of communities.
The pandemic definitely didn’t help this.
4. Democracy
Overall, Americans believe that democratic principles help foster fair government and strong, open market economies at home, and the U.S. government strives to promote democracy around the world.
And takes some liberties with their work to “promote democracy around the world”.
5. Nationalism
Due to America’s geographic isolation and global influence, the average American is not well informed about international current events except those which may be shown in newspaper headlines and on the nightly television news. Without this comparative view, and with a more inward focus on their personal lives, most Americans do not feel the necessity to closely follow international developments.
Yes U.S. citizens think (know) the world revolves around them.
6. Meritocracy
Americans closely identify themselves with the jobs they have, and it’s common to ask someone they have just met, “What do you do?” or “Where do you work?”"
These questions are fun if you are unemployed.
Americans love stories of “rags to riches” success and about people who “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps,” improving their situation by their own hard work. Throughout American history there have been many individuals who became successful after struggling through difficult times.
We love the story of the American Dream.
7. Directness
Americans prefer that people “get to the point” and “don’t beat around the bush” in meetings and negotiations. They will offer both positive and constructive feedback with the intention of improving the process or product.
No qualms with this one.
8. Innovation
Americans’ positive association with change and progress exemplifies a “future orientation,” looking ahead for better things to come. While they show a healthy regard for tradition, Americans are even more attracted to the “new and improved” label being affixed to their bodies (physical fitness), laundry detergents (“removes stubborn stains”), cars (“more fuel efficient”), and computer software (Update 14.10.5)
My past company lived for terms like “hypergrowth” and “growth hacking”.
9. Consumerism
Americans love to shop. Acquiring the main accouterments of the American Dream is the main target, including a home and a car, followed by electronics.
There is literally so much to unpack here — consumerism is one of our core values? At least it’s honest.
10. Informality
Fashion trends have greatly influenced American informality. In the mid-1960s the Hawaiian garment industry wanted to sell more Aloha or Hawaiian shirts appropriate for men to wear to work. In the early 1990s, this casual trend hopped to the mainland when cashstrapped companies introduced “Casual Friday” as a non-monetary perk for employees.
Other examples included Levi’s blue jeans and Silicon Valley hoodies.
11. Efficient Use of Time
Time, and its cousins efficiency and speed, have generated an American fascination with and dependence on services such as fast food, express package delivery, product expiration dates, and speed dating.
As a counterpoint, in the last decade Americans have worked more hours and taken fewer vacations, due to increased workload and fear of not appearing dedicated enough to their jobs in a tight job market. This is affecting the quality of work-life balance and causing many workers to reevaluate their professional and financial goals. In either case, whether tied to the clock or trying to free oneself from its control, time exerts a strong influence on Americans’ personal and work lives.
We have talked about how Americans use our time, how it’s mostly for work, and so while the description is spot on, the title feels like too much of positive spin. Speed might be more accurate. Americans love going fast.
So there they are, the great American Values. All 11 of them. Also like, 11? You know there were ten and then a year later someone was like… crap we forgot Democracy.
Jokes aside, this list by Uncle Sam is surprisingly self-aware. It’s a useful reference for anyone pushing for change. It will always be easier to drive change in a society that upholds and supports its core values. It’s a different beast to try and drive change that works against the culture norm. The key is knowing if the change you are fighting for is going with or against the tide.
