What's the New American Dream? Discussion Series – Interactivity Foundation

​The classic American Dream promised home ownership, salaried jobs that enabled prosperity, the ability to provide for family, savings for retirement, and access to quality goods and services like healthcare and transportation. This three-part discussion series invites participants to examine whether that vision still exists and to collectively imagine what a New American Dream might look like for contemporary society. The series explores the relationship between personal finances, economic systems, and democratic health, addressing questions about who benefits from current structures, how rising inequality affects communities, and what values should guide efforts to create economic opportunity accessible to all.

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Information about the Issue

The discussion series is structured around three 60-75-minute facilitated conversations, each focusing on a different dimension of reimagining the American Dream. Discussion One examines who currently has access to the classic American Dream, explores the societal consequences of rising economic inequality, and identifies which interests the current economic system serves. Participants consider what aspects of the existing system are working and reflect on challenges to the relationship between economic opportunity, prosperity, and democratic health.
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Discussion Two shifts to envisioning alternatives by asking participants to describe specific components of a New American Dream and how they differ from traditional conceptions. The conversation explores what basket of goods or capacities would demonstrate achievement of this new vision, who should be able to access it, and what changes in society or governance would be necessary to realize it. Discussion Three deepens the exploration by examining the values underlying both the current system and proposed alternatives, considering how democratic values like freedom, equality, and human dignity relate to economic arrangements, and identifying positive examples that could serve as foundations for systemic change. Throughout all three sessions, the format uses round-robin introductions, open discussion with guided questions, and closing reflections, supported by conversation agreements that emphasize generosity, boldness in exploring different perspectives, and connection-building rather than debate.

Why It Matters

​This discussion series matters because economic anxiety and uncertainty about achieving prosperity affect how people experience citizenship and participate in democratic life. By creating structured space for community members to explore their own experiences with economic opportunity, examine whose interests current systems serve, and collaboratively envision alternatives, the process builds capacity for informed civic engagement on economic policy questions. The discussions help participants connect abstract economic concepts to lived experience and personal values, making complex policy debates more accessible and meaningful. Rather than seeking consensus on a single vision, the series honors diverse perspectives while building understanding across difference, demonstrating that productive conversations about contentious economic issues are possible when grounded in shared exploration rather than political persuasion. This approach strengthens democratic culture by modeling constructive dialogue, expanding participants' understanding of how others experience economic systems differently, and building social trust necessary for collective problem-solving on issues that affect everyone.

About the Organization

​The Interactivity Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening democracy through meaningful public discussion and deliberation. The Foundation serves communities, educational institutions, civic organizations, and groups seeking to engage constructively with complex social issues. Interactivity Foundation provides facilitation guides, discussion frameworks, and resources designed to expand imagination, build social trust, and develop the discussion skills necessary for everyday democratic participation. Through structured yet flexible conversation formats that balance personal storytelling with analytical exploration, the organization helps groups navigate difficult topics including economic inequality, governance, social policy, and civic life. The Foundation's approach emphasizes listening across differences, exploring multiple perspectives without requiring agreement, and building capacity for the kind of thoughtful, inclusive public dialogue that supports healthy democratic communities.