Final answer:
Esterbrook's examples of American cultural developments with negative consequences include the challenges of national educational standards like No Child Left Behind, the cultural impact of American corporations, and the historical global interventions leading to resentment. Concerns about economic inequalities and societal stratification are also discussed as contributors to the divide in American society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Esterbrook's examples of recent developments in American culture that have negative consequences encompass various social and political domains. One example pertains to the evolution of education, where the introduction of national standards like the No Child Left Behind law sought to improve educational outcomes but faced significant opposition and had limited success due to funding disparities and local resistance. Another issue raised by Esterbrook is related to the wide cultural impact of American corporations and the exportation of Western culture, which can lead to concerns about cultural homogenization. Furthermore, the book addresses the intended and unintended effects of the United States' historical global interventions, such as establishing a legacy of resentment due to interference in other American countries' affairs.
The concern Esterbrook raises about social and cultural factors leading to a societal gap emphasizes economic inequalities and societal stratification, often exacerbated by racial and ethnic discrimination. This inequality is one of the unfortunate negatives associated with America's historic period of industrial and technological abundance. These various topics and iterations exemplify beneficial developments with negative consequences in American culture and highlight the complexity of progress and its repercussions.