The Constitution and the American Dream

Dr. Cal Jillson 
Professor of Political Science, 
Southern Methodist University 

In this presentation, as in his book, “Pursuing the American Dream,” Dr. Jillson explores the origins of the “American Dream” ideal and the modern impediments to achieving it. He notes that the American Dream comes from the notion of “American exceptionalism” – that the common person has a better chance to be successful in the United States than in any other country. He then explores the role the U.S. Constitution – especially the Fourth through the Eighth Amendments – plays in attempting to assure that the pursuit of the American Dream is possible. Dr. Jillson also states that we are currently experiencing one of those times in American history when pursuing the American Dream is “troublesome, problematic, and fraught with difficulty.” 

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Recorded: September 16, 2013