Economic Apartheid in America

by Collins, Chuck; Yeskel, Felice; United for a Fair Economy

• ISBN13: 9781565845947
• ISBN10: 1565845943
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: New Pr

Summary

This updated edition of the widely touted Economic Apartheid in America looks at the causes and manifestations of wealth disparities in the United States, examining the recent changes in income and wealth distribution as well as the economic policies and shifts in power that have fueled the growing divide.

Author Biography

Chuck Collins is a senior program developer at United for a Fair Economy, a senior fellow at Class Action, and the author of several books Felice Yeskel is the co-director of Class Action and a faculty member in the Social Justice Education Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Foreword	ix
Juliet B. Schor
Introduction: Economic Boom for Whom?	1	(1)
The Amazing U. S. Economy?	1	(3)
Warning: Entering New Global Economy---Proceed with Caution	4	(2)
The Trends: Rising Tide, Sinking Boats	6	(1)
We Can Build a Fairer Economy	7	(2)
About the Book	9	(4)
The Dangerous Consequences of Crowing Inequality	13	(26)
Pressures Facing Our Households	14	(11)
Inequality and the Threat to Prosperity	25	(3)
Inequality and Democracy	28	(3)
Inequality and Public Health	31	(1)
Social Polarization and the Withdrawal of the Haves	32	(3)
You Are on Your Own: The New Individualism	35	(2)
Gated Communities and Bigger Prisons	37	(2)
The Picture: Crowing Economic Insecurity and Inequality	39	(29)
The Inequality of Income and Wages	39	(4)
Race, Gender, and Income	43	(3)
The Gap Between Highest and Average Wage Earners	46	(6)
The Inequality of Wealth	52	(16)
What Is Wealth and Why Is It Important?	52	(2)
The Concentration of Wealth	54	(4)
The Myth of Who Owns Assets	58	(1)
The Wealth-Holders	59	(2)
Global Inequality	61	(2)
The Champagne Glass Global Distribution of Income	63	(5)
The Causes of Inequality	68	(59)
Why Has Inequality Grown?	68	(1)
A Power Shift	69	(21)
Money Power in Our Democracy	70	(4)
The Rise in Concentrated Corporate Power	74	(7)
The Attack on Worker Rights	81	(5)
Decline in the Influence of the Civic Sector	86	(2)
Decline in Independent Politics	88	(2)
The Rules Governing the Economy	90	(37)
Global Trade and Investment Policy	90	(10)
Taxation	100	(8)
The Restructuring of Work and the Breakdown in the Social Contract	108	(6)
Regulation and Deregulation	114	(2)
Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy	116	(3)
Government Social Spending, the Safety Net, and Corporate Welfare	119	(5)
The Culture of Greed vs. the Common Good	124	(3)
Building a Fair Economy Movement	127	(14)
The Tradition of Taking Action to Reduce Inequality	128	(3)
Movement Building	131	(1)
Stages of Social Movements	132	(4)
Cultural Preparation and Organization	134	(1)
Building Public Support	135	(1)
Consolidation	136	(1)
Building a Movement Infrastructure	136	(2)
Strategy: What Policies Are We For?	138	(3)
Actions to Close the Economic Divide	141	(72)
Building a Real Democracy	145	(26)
Building Workers' Power	145	(7)
Removing the Influence of Big Money from Our Democracy	152	(5)
Building Independent Politics	157	(3)
Reining in Corporate Power	160	(11)
Changing the Rules to Build a Fair Economy	171	(42)
Global Trade and Investment Rules	171	(10)
Reducing Wage Inequality	181	(8)
Reducing Wealth Inequality	189	(3)
Fair Taxation	192	(9)
Fighting Corporate Welfare	201	(5)
Reforming Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve	206	(2)
Alternatives for a Fair Economy	208	(5)
Conclusion	213	(2)
Appendix We Are United for a Fair Economy	215	(4)
Further Reading	219	(2)
Notes	221