ABSTRACT

This work provides a comprehensive portrait of how the US standard of living has changed during recent years, as compared to the whole period since World War II. The study presents statistics that are compiled from government and private data sources. Using the evidence, the authors analyze trends in income, wages, jobs, wealth, poverty and the distribution of taxes and compare US trends with those of other advanced countries.

chapter |4 pages

Executive Summary

chapter |4 pages

Introduction: The Economic Context

chapter |2 pages

Methods of Analysis

chapter |1 pages

Acknowledgments

chapter 3|60 pages

Wages: Working Longer for Less

chapter 4|24 pages

Jobs: Worsening Underemployment

chapter 5|14 pages

Wealth: A Financial Boom Only for the Few

chapter 6|30 pages

Poverty: Falling Wages, Torn Safety Net

chapter 7|28 pages

Young Families