Economic Apartheid In America

by Collins, Chuck

• ISBN13: 9781595580153
• ISBN10: 1595580158
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• 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?
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	(5)
The Dangerous Consequences of Crowing Inequality
Pressures Facing Our Households	14	(7)
Inequality and the Threat to Prosperity	21	(2)
Inequality and Democracy	23	(6)
Inequality and Public Health	29	(2)
Social Polarization and the Withdrawal of the Haves	31	(3)
You Are On Your Own: The New Individualism	34	(2)
Gated Communities and Bigger Prisons	36	(2)
The Picture: Growing Economic Insecurity and Inequality
The Inequality of Income and Wages	38	(2)
Race, Gender, and Income	40	(3)
The Gap between Highest and Average Wage-Earners	43	(5)
The Inequality of Wealth	48	(1)
What Is Wealth and Why Is It Important?	48	(3)
The Concentration of Wealth	51	(4)
The Myth of Who Owns Assets	55	(1)
The Wealth-Holders	56	(3)
Global Inequality	59	(1)
The Champagne-Glass Global Distribution of Income	60	(5)
The Causes of Inequality
Why Has Inequality Grown?	65	(1)
The Power Shift	66	(3)
Money Power in Our Democracy	69	(2)
The Rise in Concentrated Corporate Power	71	(7)
The Attack on Workers' Rights	78	(6)
Decline in the Influence of the Civic Sector	84	(2)
Decline in Independent Politics	86	(1)
The Rules Governing the Economy	87	(1)
Global Trade and Investment Policy	88	(8)
Taxation	96	(8)
The Restructuring of Work and the Breakdown in the Social Contract	104	(6)
Regulation and Deregulation	110	(2)
Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy	112	(4)
Government Social Spending, the Safety Net, and Corporate Welfare	116	(7)
The Culture of Greed vs. the Common Good	123	(4)
Building a Fair Economy Movement
The Tradition of Taking Action to Reduce Inequality	127	(3)
Movement-Building	130	(2)
Stages of Social Movements	132	(2)
Phase One: Cultural Preparation and Organization	134	(1)
Phase Two: Building Public Support	135	(1)
Phase Three: Consolidation	135	(1)
Building a Movement Infrastructure	136	(4)
Challenging the Mythology Underlying Inequality	140	(1)
Understanding Class in U.S. Society	141	(10)
Actions to Close the Economic Divide
Building a Real Democracy	151	(1)
Building Workers' Power	151	(7)
Removing the Influence of Big Money from Our Democracy	158	(6)
Building Independent Politics	164	(3)
Reining in Corporate Power	167	(11)
Changing the Rules to Build a Fair Economy	178	(1)
Global Trade and Investment Rules	178	(10)
Reducing Wage Inequality	188	(10)
Reducing the Asset and Wealth Gap	198	(5)
Fair Taxation	203	(8)
Fighting Corporate Welfare	211	(4)
Reforming Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve	215	(2)
Alternatives for a Fair Economy	217	(6)
Conclusion	223	(2)
Appendix We Are United for a Fair Economy and Class Action	225	(2)
Further Reading	227	(3)
Notes	230	(13)
Index	243