The Ruling Class

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The American Ruling Class In this documentary, two young men from opposite sides of the economic spectrum graduate from Yale. Jack, one of the main characters, has grown up as part of the upper class, where Mike, the other main character is part of the middle to working class lifestyle. After graduation Jack becomes a banker with Goldman Sachs while Mike continues to struggle to make decisions about what it is he wants to do with his life. Mike works different jobs, as a waiter, a writer, and struggles greatly to find his calling. As the documentary progresses both young men are mentored by a peer and one of their old professors, and are guided along the way to make important decisions in the real world. When looking at our readings and material we have learned throughout this class, The American Ruling Class can be related to the ideas of inequality. This film poses the idea that although many of us strive to obtain higher education, we all end up in different parts of the economic spectrum. Throughout the film the idea of “ruling class” and what it means in our society kept coming up, and when relating it back to our class material it is clearly seen and heard. For example, those that are apart of the upper class are entitled to more power and opportunity. The more wealthy people are more powerful people, and these higher class people hold more power over those of lower ranking and class. However, it is very rare that a person of lower and middle class ever hold power simply because they are seen as weak or less superior. And this documentary portrays these ideas perfectly. Although both these young men graduated from an Ivy League school with a degree, they are still seen based on wealthy. Jack comes from money where Mike is drowning in student loan debts which clearly shows the control money and wealth have on “ruling class”. After watching this documentary
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