American values: opposing viewpoints

What values should America uphold?

Conservatism is ideal for America / Irving Kristol

Liberalism is ideal for America / Gary Doore

Individualism strengthens America / Nelson Hultberg

Communitarianism strengthens America / Amitai Etzioni

Minorities and the poor should value personal responsibility / Clarence Thomas

Minorities and the poor do not lack a sense of personal responsibility / David Futrelle

How are American values changing?

America has lost its work ethic / Charles Colson & Jack Eckerd

America has not lost its work ethic / Michael Kinsley

Baby boomers' values may be detrimental / Warren P. Mass

Baby boomers have rewarding values / Wade Clark Roof

Public schools have subverted religious values / Robert W. Lee

Public schools are not hostile to religion / James E. Wood Jr.

Is America in decline?

Moral conduct is in decline / William J. Bennett

Moral conduct is not in decline / Jeffrey W. Haynes & Seymour Martin Lipset

America faces a civilizational crisis / Dwight D. Murphey

America's crises are often exaggerated / Barbara Ehrenreich & Todd Gitlin

The American dream is dying / Katherine S. Newman

The American dream is alive / Kenneth Silber

The dark side of popular culture / Nina J. Easton

The bright side of popular culture / The American Enterprise

How important are family values?

Family values should be the focus of attention / Cal Thomas

Family values should not be the focus of attention / Stephanie Coontz

Traditional families are best / Barbara Dafoe Whitehead

Traditional families may not be best / Katha Pollitt

How do religious values influence America?

Judeo-Christian values make America great / William P. Barr

Judeo-Christian values deny freedom in America / Gore Vidal

The religious right's influence is good for America / Fred Barnes

The religious right's influence is bad for America / John B. Judis

How does materialism affect America?

Capitalism drives America's success / Malcolm S. Forbes Jr.

Capitalism is driving America's decline / New Unionist

Americans consume too much / Alan Thein Durning

Americans are becoming thrifty / Walecia Konrad

The 1980s caused cultural and economic decline / Cornel West

The 1980s generated economic prosperity / David Kelley & Jeff Scott.