Yes, and this is one reason the U.S. could be viewed as a developing country more than a developed one, at least socially. The U.S. loves to claim their rags to riches stories, but its complete nonsense. In the OECD countries, the U.S. has one of the highest levels of income persistence. Pretty much your parents wealth determines your wealth more so than in most developed nations. That is not a nation of meritocracy. That’s a nation of nepotism, which is more in line with developing status. It’s really a fundamental issue of social development as well, so it can’t be easily dismissed. I think economically and technologically obviously the U.S. is very developed, but socially the U.S. is decades, if not a century, behind the leaders.
These statements are complete rubbish. Over the last 100 years, America has created social equality for all of its citizens – enabling everyone a fair chance to succeed and prosper. Why do you think so many people from around the world come to live in USA (not the other way around)? Need more proof?
#VisitLosAngeles
I would rather choose Western Europe regarding quality of life. Respect US for World No1 in corporate management and strong market oriented economy.
I trust this was sarcasm.
Wow, this is right out of the manual! Someone really chugged the Koolaid, slow down kid! 
whats going on here?
People from all backgrounds and descents have found, and continue to find success, in America. Simply an undisputed fact. Great things have come out of America and will continue to come out of America. Another undisputed fact. American absorbs more unskilled workers than the World combined. Another undisputed fact. That certainly affects the distribution. What’s the gripe? And why do so many that don’t live here, or only have lived in one area of the country, feel qualified to opine on what it is like to live everywhere in America? Where do you get your information? May I suggest a national tour…now, foreign policy that’s a different issue.
And the more PA posts, the more he exposes his knowledge and aptitude. See posts on NOCs or option trading. He should have a quit after his posts on human intelligence, which occurred shortly after his arrival. Maybe entering the program would help.
#HowSo?
PA is such a generalist that its hard to believe this guy is successful in real life.
Geo’s statement is correct, but I also think that is mainly true across the globe. Wealthy parents = better education = better jobs on average. Its hard to break into that group if you are looking in from the outside. On the whole I think people are far too hard on the US. Similar to their role as global police, everyone complains but when something happens they always look to the US to act. As said before the US knows of its myriad of problems and the only way to fix it realistically at this point would be taking up arms, but I have an ok job, get to aee friends and take a vacation or two a year, so I will join the complacent and do nothing.
No, everyone doesn’t look to the US to act. If at all the US is the global police it is because the US has chosen to be the global police.
In reality the US isn’t the global police, but just a country with global interests.
How does the U.S. have social equity? Your cities are divided along racial lines, which also reflect economic situation. Your financial success in life is determined more by your parents than other OECD type countries. Without consistently high quality public education and reasonable access to health care for children, you can’t claim social equity.
Here is some data on OECD countries: http://www.oecd.org/centrodemexico/medios/44582910.pdf I have no beef with America. Love the country, love the people. Canada and the U.S. are the greatest allies. The only frustration I have related to the thread title is Americans belief they live in the ultimate meritocracy where everyone can best hack out a living and the rest of us are socialist panzies living in economically oppressed states. But the facts show that in fact countries like the Nordics, Canada, Australia and some other European states have far more meritocracy in terms of success not being defined by family wealth. On the other hand, countries like the U.S. and U.K. are much more heavily influenced by family wealth, due to lacklustre public education and health. America is the best country in the world to be born in the top quartile. After that, definitely not.
Of course one’s financial success in life is largely determined by his/her own parents’ – a child’s perspective on life, which carries forward into adulthood, is largely shaped by how the parents have raised that person. Hence the saying: “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”.
YET THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE. FOR SOME IT’S EASIER THAN OTHERS (BASED UPON PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES), BUT THOSE WHO HAVE THE DRIVE AND ABILITY TO TAKE ACTION WILL SUCCEED.
If you’re looking at the US from outside the glass, I’m not sure how you feel so justified in berating the social and economic policies of this country without any firsthand knowledge or experience about life within these borders. Do we have problems at different levels? Of course. But I think the pros outweigh the cons, and by a wide margin.
***Please answer this question*** Why do you think so many people born outside the United States, voluntarily choose to move to and continue their lives in America? As a native of Los Angeles, I have watched the dynamics of this large city change over the last 40 years. Many with the drive and desire to prosper have succeeded because of the opportunity, which I don’t believe was as available in other countries (including their homeland).
#Respectfully
^ As a percentage of population, the U.S. has fewer immigrants than Canada or Australia or New Zealand or many European countries such as Switzerland and Sweden. Why do more people go to the U.S. nominally? Because the smaller more socially advanced countries quotas are tapped out. More people proportionally chose socially advanced countries. It’s amazing how real facts don’t line up with that worldview. And this is what I’m saying. Americans believe they are the envy of the world on their rags to riches ability, but they really aren’t. Is America a better place to live than most countries? Absolutely. No doubt. But unless you come from money, there are way better places to advance.
My point is more socially developed countries attempt to reduce that gap by making sure all kids have good access to education and health so they have equal opportunity, not just equal right. Of courses parents will always have a role in their kids development, but society’s role is to ensure kids don’t fall through the cracks early. That’s social development.
Where are these places?
North of the US?
Look at the link I provided. Income mobility is higher almost anywhere other than America (and the U.K. which is also bad).