Secret of success

Madonna “American Life”

 The USA is the most powerful and successful country in the world and everybody wants to know the secret of their success!  Lots of people believe that it is lying deep in the notion of the so called “American Dream”  If it is so, then to be successful we need our own dream, but do we have one?  So the aim of our research is to find out what the American dream means and whether we have our own Russian dream or not.

 Success  Fame  Wealth  Freedom  Education  Career  Family  House  Opportunities  …

 "from rags to riches“  realization of high flying ideals

 the freedom that allows everybody to pursue their goals in life through hard work and free choice.  the opportunity for immigrants to achieve greater material prosperity than was possible in their countries of origin.  one's prospects in life are defined by one's talents and energy rather than by one's family wealth or political connections.

James Truslow Adams Epic of America (1931):  “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.  It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the circumstances of birth or position.”

Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895).  who owes little or nothing to birth, relationship, friendly surroundings;  to wealth inherited or to early approved means of education;  who is what he is, without the aid of any of the favoring conditions by which other men usually rise in the world and achieve great results.

 Douglass does not believe in what he calls the "good luck theory"  Douglass is convinced that success can be explained by only one word, namely "WORK! WORK!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!"

Benjamin Franklin Madonna

 One of the Founding Fathers of the United States.  From a poor, unknown son of a candle-maker to a very successful business man and highly acknowledged member of the American society.  Creates the archetype of someone coming from low origins, who, against all odds, breaks out of his inherited social position, climbs up the social ladder and creates a new identity for himself.  Key factors in this rise from rags to riches are hard work and a solid moral foundation.  Franklin also stresses the significance of education for self- improvement

 From a 19-year-old girl who came to New York with 35$ in her pocket to one of the most famous and successful entertainers in the whole world.

According to the American concept of a “dream” let’s find out whether Russians understand it the same way and whether they have their own Dream.

 Interview Dates: May 25-29,  12 questions.  150 interviews:  Students of Irkutsk State Linguistic University  Students of Irkutsk State University  Students of Baikal State University of Economy and Management  Company managers  Interior designers  Doctors  Teachers

Material wellbeing/Money/Wealth17 % Own a home/have a good place to live15 % Cars11 % Having a good job/career11 % Success/Goal Achievement10 % Happy, ideal life8 % Freedom/Independence6 % Family/Children6 % From rags to riches6 % Travelling/Holidays in a five-star hotel4 % World supremacy2 % Enjoy life to the full2 % Life in the USA1 % Foolish thing1 %

On the seashore18 % In a big/huge/luxurious house17 % In one’s own house12 % In a country house/cottage/farm11 % In the USA (Miami, Hawaii, Los Angeles, New York)8 % In a small, comfortable house6 % In a warm place6 % In Irkutsk (e.g. Volzhskaya st.)5 % In Europe5 % In the south4 % In the heart of a city4 % In a small castle in New Zealand or Australia2 % In Sochi1 % On the Earth1 %

Positive-Optimistic,Hopeful, Proud, Confident, Excited Negative-Angry, Sad, Disappointed, Frustrated Uncertain-Cautious, Worried, Uncertain

What does the American Dream mean to you? (Coded and collapsed) Having a good job/make a comfortable living/financial security/debt free37% Personal Freedom15% Own a home/have a good place to live15% Raising a family/caring for children14% Opportunity/promise9% Don’t know/not sure9% Live in peace without terrorism/safety6% Access to health care/Be healthy6% Success/Goal Achievement5% Happiness5% Access to good education/college4% A worry-free life3% A return to traditional moral values/religion3% There's no longer any American Dream3% Good Country/U.S. Improving/Patriotic Mentions3% Equality / Equal Treatment/Rights3% Freedom of speech and expression2% Respect for others/tolerance of diversity2% Life/Living Each Day2% Affluence/being wealthy1%

Workers volunteer having a good job, making a comfortable living, being debt free and being financially secure as their view the American dream. Only 1% say being wealthy.

“The Russian Dream” doesn’t exist17 % Money/Being wealthy12 % Do nothing and get money for it10 % The same as the American Dream9 % Freedom8 % House8 % Russian soul7 % Family7 % Travelling6 % To plant a tree, to build a house, to bring up a son6 % Health of the country5 % Pride for the country/Confidence in its future4 % World peace1 % From rags to riches1 % To survive1 % To find a rich husband1%

 The concept of the Russian dream doesn’t exist!  People just want to be wealthy doing nothing  But it’s not that bad, because people believe in bright future of our country.  So, it depends on you if Russia will have its dream or not

 survey.html  _Survey_Tough_Economy_Has_Not_Killed_the_Ame rican_Dream.html  W.press.f ppt#502,6,Jobs and the economy is the top concern for workers, with energy and gas prices, moral values and the war in Iraq in the next tier.  Wikipedia.org