Sentence:  <WSD>As</WSD> it is , they consider that the North is now reaping the fruits of excess egalitarianism , that in spite of its high standard of living the `` American way '' has been proved inferior to the English and Scandinavian ways , although they disapprove of the socialistic features of the latter . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  in the actual state of affairs and often contrary to expectations; as it is he was severely injured"