In locating a contemporary articulation of the ‘Yuppie’ it
is first important to define the term in its origin. Writing in 1986, Hammond
terms the ‘Yuppie’ as a ‘new political species: The Young Urban Professionals, children
of the baby boom whom now have college degrees and high paying jobs. Hammond
continues to characterise yuppies as having ‘childhoods of prosperity, high
educational levels…and salaries which match their ambitions’. Further;
‘according to press accounts, they crowd the labour and real estate markets.’
One of the most famous representations of the Yuppie is
Gordon Gekko, the lead character in Oliver Stones’ ‘Wall Street’ (1987). His
portrayal in the film is archetypal of the young, masculine definition of the
yuppie – Unashamedly rich, ruthless and powerful, Gekko exemplifies the ruling
class of the 1980’s as he exploits the capitalist system for his own means with
little to no ethical or moral consideration. As he famously says to Bud Fox;
“You’ve
got 90% of the American public out there with little or no net worth. I create
nothing. I own.”
Similar quotes from the period in which Gekko operates are
numerous;
“I’m
going to be upset and there is going to be hell to pay.”
“I
know how to build. I’m going to take the approach of leadership. I’m going to
get good contractors and push the hell out of them.”
“They’ve
worked for me and they want to continue working for me.”
How interesting it is then, that each of those last three
quotes are taken from real estate tycoon and business magnate of the 1980’s, Mr
Donald J. Trump. Covering the refurbishment of the Wollman Rink in his 1986
article for the New York Times, Martin Gottlieb analyses and quotes ‘developer’
Mr. Donald J. Trump and his powerful ‘clout’ in business and real estate affairs
of the middle of the decade. Just four years previous (at age 36) according to
Forbes, Trump had a fortune of $200 million. In terms of his wealth, his
success, his history and his character, Trump is certainly an articulation of
the yuppie. A yuppie whom now assumes the most powerful position in America and
the world.
The yuppie attitude becomes increasingly problematic in the
context of presidency because of its essential features. Yes, hard work is
desirable but business acumen is more useful to an authoritarian or even
totalitarian leadership model and not the self-acclaimed ‘Land of the Free’.
Trump’s attitude, both in the 80’s and now appears to be rash, ruthless and
petulant whilst some of the best presidents exude a calm, assured and
conscientious attitude to leadership.
You need only look down his Twitter feed to find examples. It is sadly
apparent that Trump’s short comings, exposed and somewhat founded in the yuppie
era of the 1980’s, could amount to more regressive and damaging policy.
1. Hammond: Public Opinion Quarterly: Yuppies
2. Gottlieb: New York Times 1986
3. O'brien: New York Times 2005
4. Youtube: Gekko teaches Bud about capitalism
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