The American Dream vs. the European Dream

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. The American and European sets of values

2.1 The American Dream

2.2 The European Dream

3. Institutional framework of disability rights policies

3.1 Americans with Disabilities Act

3.2 European Disability Strategy 2010-2020

4. A Comparative Study

4.1 Hypothesis one

4.2 Hypothesis two

Objectives and Research Focus

This paper examines how the cultural notions of the "American Dream" (individualism and prosperity) and the "European Dream" (communal inclusivity) are reflected in the disability rights legislation of the United States and the European Union, specifically focusing on whether these legal frameworks provide equal opportunities for all or if they are constrained by their respective underlying philosophies.

• Analysis of the American Dream versus the European Dream as societal myths.
• Evaluation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding its legal and structural impact.
• Assessment of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 as a framework for inclusive policy.
• Comparison of "common law" judicial patterns in the US versus the "social model" approach in the EU.
• Investigation into how societal values influence legislative approaches toward disability rights.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: Summarizes the cultural significance of the American and European Dreams and outlines the paper's goal of exploring their influence on disability rights legislation.

The American and European sets of values: Defines the core concepts of both dreams, distinguishing between the individualistic focus of the US and the communal, inclusive focus of the EU.

Institutional framework of disability rights policies: Details the legislative foundations, contrasting the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) with the European Disability Strategy (2010–2020).

A Comparative Study: Analyzes how the US judicial system and European social policy paradigms have shaped specific disability rights outcomes in both regions.

Keywords

American Dream, European Dream, Disability Rights, Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, European Disability Strategy, Social Model of Disability, Medical Model of Disability, Legislation Enforcement, Policy-making, Inclusivity, Equality of Opportunity, Common Law, Paradigm Shift, Human Rights

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this paper?

The paper explores the influence of the "American Dream" and "European Dream" on the formation and implementation of disability rights legislation in the US and the EU.

What are the primary themes discussed?

Key themes include societal values, legislative frameworks for disability discrimination, institutional comparing, and the evolution of disability rights movements.

What is the main research question of the work?

The work investigates the extent to which the individualistic focus of the American Dream and the communal orientation of the European Dream manifest in, and shape the content of, disability rights policies.

Which methodology is applied?

The author applies a comparative approach to legal studies, incorporating social philosophy to explain how institutional frameworks differ in addressing discrimination versus social barriers.

What does the main part of the document cover?

It covers the historical definitions of the American vs. European Dream, evaluates the Americans with Disabilities Act, summarizes the European Disability Strategy, and performs a comparative cross-analysis of these legal systems.

Which keywords characterize this paper?

The paper is characterized by terms such as American Dream, European Dream, Disability Rights, Legislation, Policy-making, Inclusivity, and Social Model.

How does the US legal system influence disability rights differently than the EU's?

The US relies heavily on a litigious, common law system where rights are often enforced through individual court cases; in contrast, the EU focuses on a broader, communal approach using social policy to remove structural barriers.

What role does the "social model" play in this comparison?

The social model—which attributes disability to environmental barriers and society's failure to accommodate—is central to European legislation, whereas the US approach historically focuses more on individual empowerment and specific non-discrimination statutes.