As the American dream is deferred, the global economy shifts

The World

The American dream is not exclusively an American institution. For centuries the ideals of the American dream: ?Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? have drawn immigrants from across the world to make a better life for themselves. But today?with unemployment at 8.1 percent and the housing market crippled by the credit crunch?the dream is deferred.

For a look at what this means globally, Edward Miguel, a professor of economics at UC Berkeley joins The Takeaway. He also co-wrote the book ?Economic Gangsters: Corruption, Violence and the Poverty of Nations,? with economist Raymond Fisman.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.