Introduction.
The introduction lays out the basic dimensions of American inequality, tracing
patterns of wage, income, and wealth inequality across our recent history.
 This overview includes links to more detailed explorations of  the
trajectory of American wages,
American incomes,
American wealth,
the demographics (race and gender)
of inequality, spatial and generational patterns
of inequality; and the costs of
inequality.    

Usual Suspects.
This section examines the conventional explanations for American inequality.
 The summary discussion includes links to more detailed explorations of
globalization and inequality, technology and inequality, and demographic change
and inequality.  

Differences That
Matter: Public Policy and American Inequality.  This
section presents the politics and policies (their change over time and their
contrast with other settings) which have most directly contributed to widening
inequality in the United States.  It is presented in eight parts, each of
which offers a short history, an assessment of the contribution of each policy
(or policy change) to inequality, and a comparison with peer countries.
 Links within each chapter offer background readings or further discussion
of key issues or concepts. 

• The Union
  Difference: Labor Relations and American Inequality


• The Bare
  Minimum: Labor Standards and American Inequality 


• The Perils
  of Private Welfare: Job-Based Benefits and American Inequality 


• A Tattered
  Safety Net: Social Policy and American Inequality 


• Who Pays?
  Taxes and American Inequality


• Wolves of
  Wall Street and Main Street: Financialization and American Inequality


• Fatter
  Cats: Executive Pay and American Inequality


• Choosing
  Unemployment: Macroeconomic Policy and American Inequality

Conclusion.
The conclusion assesses the relative contribution these policies to the larger
pattern of inequality, and offers a short primer on the way forward.

Chartbook.
 Direct links to all charts, maps, and graphics.

Acknowledgements

About the Author