Moreover, an absence of hierarchical class structures that typify older societies has extended competitive opportunities to all who seek them.

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It is bolstered by the view that we are a country comfortable with the rule of law (with a few war on terror exceptions), an absence of rigid class distinctions and discriminations (at least lately), and an underlying tendency to do the right thing when the right thing needs doing (although, as Churchill remarked, often only after exhausting all other alternatives).

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The complete absence of a black middle class allowed most advertisers to ignore black tastes and aspirations.

ECONOMIST: Free at last

He talks, sensibly, of the need for a strong middle class, bemoaning the absence of one.

ECONOMIST: Is a Czech era ending? | The

However, the problem say the bankers is that in the absence of some kind of entente between the banking class and political class, the banks continue to feel discombobulated, and that makes it harder for them to join the common struggle to rebuild our economy (bankers, of course, say this more in sorrow, rather than as a threat).

BBC: Slim chance of bank bonus deal

Capello will have been happy with how his under-strength side stuck to their task in searing heat, but Brazil had too much class and quality for England, who could not overcome the absence of so many high-profile stars.

BBC: Brazil 1-0 England

And in the absence of a decision on the part of the Speaker of the House and others to put middle-class families ahead of whatever political imperatives he might have right now, we're going to have these cuts in place.

WHITEHOUSE: Statement by the President on the Sequester