Princeton Tory Article Challenges Vivek Ramaswamy’s ‘Broken’ American Culture Claims

A recent article in The Princeton Tory has offered a sharp counterpoint to comments made by former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy regarding the state of American culture. Ramaswamy’s remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter) in December 2024, suggested a decline in the nation’s cultural vitality, prompting a rebuttal from the student publication.

Ramaswamy’s assertions centered on the idea that the United States currently “venerates mediocrity” and actively stifles individual ambition. He posited that immigrants, particularly those from Asia, and their American-born children demonstrate higher levels of achievement than multi-generational Americans, attributing this perceived disparity to supposedly higher cultural expectations within their communities. Ramaswamy concluded that American culture is fundamentally “broken” and argued for the adoption of foreign cultural values, specifically referencing Asian cultures, as a pathway for the U.S. to regain its perceived greatness.

A Defense of American Pluralism and Freedom

Responding to Ramaswamy’s critique, Santhosh Nadarajah, writing in The Princeton Tory, presented an alternative perspective. Nadarajah contends that what Ramaswamy interprets as a veneration of mediocrity is, in fact, a manifestation of egalitarianism deeply embedded in American society. Furthermore, Nadarajah argues that any perceived cultural failure is not a sign of inherent brokenness but rather a natural outcome of the “friction that comes with freedom and pluralism.” This perspective frames the diverse and sometimes challenging social landscape not as decay, but as an active byproduct of fundamental American values.

Superiority in Values and Outcomes

Nadarajah’s core argument is that American culture holds a position of superiority, not in a nationalistic vacuum, but specifically in its foundational values, operational systems, and observable outcomes. He highlights several key strengths he believes are intrinsic to American culture:

* A commitment to individual freedom.
* The provision of opportunity, including the space to fail and persevere.
* Active support for curiosity and intellectual exploration.
* A system that rewards innovation.
* Robust protection of dissent and differing viewpoints.

These elements, Nadarajah suggests, create a dynamic environment conducive to progress and achievement. He contrasts this view with what he describes as a “caricature” of “Asian culture” that he feels Ramaswamy’s comments rely upon, implying that such broad generalizations fail to capture the complexities of diverse cultures.

Evidence of Cultural Strength

To bolster the argument for American cultural strength, Nadarajah points to several pieces of evidence. He notes the consistent dominance of American universities in global rankings, citing them as engines of knowledge creation and dissemination. The existence and global impact of Silicon Valley, the world’s preeminent hub for technological innovation and entrepreneurship, is presented as another powerful indicator of a culture that fosters invention and risk-taking. Additionally, Nadarajah references the enduring desire of people worldwide to immigrate to the United States, interpreting this global aspiration as a testament to America’s perceived opportunities and freedoms.

Nadarajah also directly addresses Ramaswamy’s specific comparison, which suggested America values the “prom queen over the math olympiad champ.” He counters this by arguing that the U.S. values a far broader spectrum of excellence than just purely academic achievement. As proof, he cites the nation’s leading position in areas such as Olympic medals, its significant number of Nobel Prizes across various fields, and its consistent contributions to technological innovations that shape the modern world. This, he argues, demonstrates a culture that recognizes and rewards diverse forms of talent and success.

Adaptability and Resilience

In conclusion, Nadarajah’s piece in The Princeton Tory posits that the defining characteristics of American culture are its adaptability and resilience. Far from being broken, he sees these traits as enabling it to remain a “beacon of opportunity” on the global stage. This cultural dynamism, he asserts, makes the United States a uniquely powerful force for continued innovation and societal progress, capable of weathering internal disagreements and external challenges precisely because of its foundational commitment to freedom, pluralism, and the pursuit of diverse forms of excellence. The article offers a robust defense of American cultural values in the face of recent high-profile criticism.