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