The American Mirage

How Reality TV Upholds the Myth of Meritocracy

Eunji Kim

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Hardback

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English

Princeton University Press
06 May 2025

Communication studies; TV & society; Social, group or collective psychology; Political science & theory

Series: Princeton Studies in Political Behavior

How the entertainment narrative of upward mobility distorts the harsh economic realities in America

In an age of growing wealth disparities, politicians on both sides of the aisle are sounding the alarm about the fading American Dream. Yet despite all evidence to the contrary, many still view the United States as the land of opportunity. The American Mirage addresses this puzzle by exposing the stark reality of today's media landscape, revealing how popular entertainment media shapes politics and public opinion in an increasingly news-avoiding nation.

Drawing on an eclectic array of original data, Eunji Kim demonstrates how, amid a dazzling array of media choices, many Americans simply are not consuming the news. Instead, millions flock to entertainment programs that showcase real-life success stories, such as American Idol, Shark Tank, and MasterChef. Kim examines how shows like these leave viewers confoundingly optimistic about the prospects of upward mobility, promoting a false narrative of rugged individualism and meritocracy that contradicts what is being reported in the news.

By taking seriously what people casually watch every day, The American Mirage shows how rags-to-riches programs perpetuate the myth of the American Dream, glorifying the economic winners, fostering tolerance for income inequality, and dampening support for redistributive policies that could improve people's lives.

By: Eunji Kim
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780691267197
ISBN 10: 0691267197
Series: Princeton Studies in Political Behavior
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 06 May 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Eunji Kim is assistant professor of political science at Columbia University.

Reviews for The American Mirage: How Reality TV Upholds the Myth of Meritocracy

""Eye-opening. . . . Kim astutely compares reality shows’ persuasive power to that of Gilded Age dime novels, notably Horatio Alger’s 'tales of personal triumph,' in which protagonists rose 'from obscurity to prosperity' by doing good deeds. She also takes aim at her field, asserting that political science’s 'echo chambers of scholarly assumptions' have led it to ignore how political belief is affected by supposedly 'apolitical' media. The result is a troubling assessment of propaganda in pop culture."" * Publishers Weekly *