“The American dream, collectively viewed as the ability to improve one's status in life through hard work and determination, is the central element of American culture and class definition,” theorizes economics professor and journalist Paul Krugman in an article. in which he then attacked this mantra (Krugman par. 15). Whether or not his sentiments hold true for the U.S. population as a whole is difficult to gauge, but more and more evidence has emerged in recent decades that supports a similar view. Even if this country "wants" to believe in the ability to one day achieve personal fulfillment, fewer individuals are able to break through the barriers imposed by their social class, such as level of education (or lack thereof) and the profession, as much the restrictions which are often the works of the individuals elected to represent the people on a national scale. The United States no longer just resembles a democratic republic, but increasingly resembles a totalitarian or aristocratic democracy. It seems that even social classes are eroding to be replaced by a caste that has traded religious authority for economic and political influence. Democracy, in its simplest terms, means being ruled by the people (Macionis 354). Defining a democratic government is much more difficult, because its definition distinguishes between opposing political groups and parties. Inherently, a democratic government can be described rather than defined; a contract between elected governors and voters within a controlled territory. Under this contract, it is the responsibility of elected officials to represent the interests of citizens on a federal basis and to vote on bills presented, to act...... middle of paper... ...distinguishable especially when it comes to finances and income. And since people in positions of power tend not only to come from the upper classes, but change positions when their terms expire, there seems to be no real hope of a retrograde revolution that would return America to its roots in representative democracy. in the present future. Works Cited Macionis, John J. Society the Basics. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson PrenticeHall, 2009. Print. Browne, Ken. An introduction to sociology. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2005. Print. Krugman, Paul. “Upward mobility is becoming a myth in America.” The Nation January 5, 2004: n.pag. Premier Academic Research. Internet. January 22, 2011. Bernstein, Aaron. “Waking up from the American dream”. BusinessWeek December 1, 2003: n. pag.BusinessWeek. Internet. January 23. 2011.