The Capitalist Driven Society Of The United States

Kelly Mulquin Dr. Pratt Intro to Sociology 11/12/2014 In the capitalist-driven society of the United States, there is a constant impetus towards expansion, investment, and maximization of profits. While this system has helped the US become one of the wealthiest countries in the world it has also contributed to a widening gap between the wealthiest and poorest members of society. This essay will examine two of the poorest populations in the United States, the Central Appalachian region of Kentucky and the population in Camden, New Jersey through the lens of two 20/20 segments reported by Diane Sawyer: â€Å"Waiting on the World to Change† and â€Å"A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains†. This essay will examine the interplay between economic life and family structure in these regions, and how this interplay shapes individual behavior. In the early 20th century, both the Appalachian region and Camden were financially prosperous. Large-scale logging and coal mining firms brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities t o Appalachia and Camden served as a major center for manufacturing and industry. Following World War II, the coal mining industry experienced major decline. Mechanical innovations that reduced the number of laborers needed, competition from cheaper fuels, and fewer accessible and profitable seams contributed to a major decline in the coal industry. The decline of this industry, once the major source of jobs and economic activity in the region, led to a spike inShow MoreRelatedThe Restrictive Nature Of Communism1193 Words   |  5 Pagesrestrictive nature of Communism contributes immensely to its lack of viability. In Friedrich Engels’ Communist Confession of Faith, Engels--a peer of Marx’s with whom he worked closely--outlines these restrictive qualities as positive aspects of Communist society. For instance, Engels asserts that, â€Å"Every individual strives to be happy. 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