By: Jim Hoft and Rachel PulaskiThe 2012 Legatum Prosperity Index found that the "American Dream is in jeopardy" and "The national ethos of the U.S. is under threat." The assessment of prosperity is based on material wealth and personal well-being.  The Prosperity Index benchmarks countries in eight categories: Economy, Entrepreneurship & Opportunity, Education, Governance, Personal Freedom, Health, Safety & Security, and Social Capital.