Entry:

Ladd, Everett C., "Thinking about America," The Public Perspective, 4 (July/August, 1993), 19-21. Also in Economic Times, 4 (September, 1993), 8-9.


Abstract:

Americans remain unique in affirming that individual hard work, ambition, and education are the most important factors for getting ahead in life. They also tend to express cautious or pessimistic judgments about national prospects while at the same time being more optimistic about their own personal situations.

GSS Years:

1987

Other Data Sets:

ABC/ Money Magazine 1986; Roper 1948; Gallup 1963; ISSP 1987

GSS Codebook Variables referenced by document:

Variable Name

Variable Label

 
 
OPWLTH

NEED WEALTHY FAMILY TO GET AHEAD

OPEDUC

NEED GOOD EDUCATION TO GET AHEAD

OPAMBIT

NEED AMBITION TO GET AHEAD

OPABLE

NEED NATURAL ABILITY TO GET AHEAD

OPHRDWRK

NEED TO WORK HARD TO GET AHEAD

OPKNOW

NEED TO KNOW RIGHT PEOPLE TO GET AHEAD

OPCLOUT

NEED POLITICAL CONNECTIONS TO GET AHEAD

OPRACE

NEED TO BE RIGHT RACE TO GET AHEAD

OPRELIG

NEED TO BE RIGHT RELIGION TO GET AHEAD

OPPOL

MUST HAVE CERTAIN POLVIEWS TO GET AHEAD