1. William J. Bennett argues that society is experiencing moral decline. James A. Morone disagrees. What facts and statistics do Bennett and Morone provide to support their cases? Is their evidence contradictory? Whose evidence do you find more persuasive, and why?
2. Describe popular culture as Herbert I. London characterizes it, and as Tyler Cowen characterizes it. Which description is more accurate, and why? Is there more reason to be negative or positive about the state of popular culture in America? Explain your answer.
3. Do you agree with David Klepper and James B. Twitchell that America is a materialistic society? Why or why not? In what ways does consumerism harm society, in Klepper’s opinion? How does Twitchell refute the claim that consumerism is entirely negative?
4. Based on what you have read in this chapter, do you feel that America is in moral decline? Provide specific examples...