Whatever Became of 'the Pursuit of Happiness'? the U.S. Press and Social Revolution in Latin America

Abstract

This paper examines treatment by the U.S. press of the Mexican, Cuban, and Chilean revolutions from a historical perspective, both using original research and synthesizing the research of others. On balance, the U.S. media have reported or commented on Latin American social revolutions mainly by exploiting sensation and ridicule. Economic interests probably predispose the U.S. press toward a conservative stance. Perhaps more significant, however, is the cultural conception of individual reportem and editors that the U.S. political system of representative democracy is inextricably bound up with the economic system of private ownership of property. Most U.S. reporters have a difficult time covering social revolution simply because it is alien to their experience. They tend to regard the world as a giant police court where property rights take precedence over human rights. (Author/TO) U S DEPARTMENT OF HEAL TN. EDUCATION& WFLFARE NATIONAL. INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION I H., DOCUMFNI , PEEN la PRO D.'.IO EXACIt Y AS kf(rivFo FROM f Hi PERSON OR Okt.:.Ni/AT.ON Ok,GIN Al 'NU.* POIN I'S s ICA Of+ OPINtONS SIA.E0 DO NG, NI t I' -',Aka Y fit Pk( SI NI lit A, NA f ,ONA. '&0.! licit Of our,, I vN posi I ION OR Pf)1 ii Y WHATEVER BECAME OF 'THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS'? THE U.S. PRESS AND SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN LATIN AMERICA