ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the importance of middle-class jobs to the current and future standard of living in the United States. Looking back, these jobs expanded throughout the middle of the twentieth century, greatly widening the middle class. In addition to higher wages, workers also enjoyed better health and pension benefits and improved safety conditions, which all contributed to a better standard of living. This improvement was brought about by the combination of stronger unions and a commitment to macroeconomic stability after the Great Depression. For decades after World War II, large portions of the business community supported improvements in living standards and found ways to be highly profitable while paying workers well and improving working conditions.
