2. American Nightmares; or, Why Sociologists Hate the American Dream

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. List of Illustrations ix
4. Acknowledgments xi
5. Preface xiii
6. Part One: Contemporary Concerns
7. 1. Popular Hazards; or, How We Insist Similar Social Problems Are Different 3
8. 2. American Nightmares; or, Why Sociologists Hate the American Dream 34
9. Part Two: Constructing Future Problems
10. 3. Evaluating Predictions; or, How to Compare the Maya Calendar, Social Security, and Climate Change 69
11. 4. Future Talk; or, How Slippery Slopes Shape Concern 99
12. Part Three: Looking Backward and Beyond Sociology
13. 5. Memories as Problems; or, How to Reconsider Confederate Flags and Other Symbols of the Past 129
14. 6. Economicization; or, Why Economists Get More Respect Than Sociologists 159
15. Afterword: The Future of American Nightmares 187
16. References 195
17. Index 225