Falling behind : how rising inequality harms the middle class / Robert H. Frank.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Frank, Robert H.

Series:

Aaron Wildavsky forum for public policy ; 4.

The Aaron Wildavsky forum for public policy ; 4

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Middle class--United States--Economic conditions.

Middle class.

Income distribution--United States.

Income distribution.

Equality--Economic aspects.

Equality.

Economic conditions.

United States.

Consumption (Economics)--United States.

Consumption (Economics).

Equality--Economic aspects--United States.

Physical Description:

xiv, 148 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, [2007]

Summary:

Although middle-income families don't earn much more than they did several decades ago, they are buying bigger cars, houses, and appliances. To pay for them, they spend more than they earn and carry record levels of debt. In a book exploring the very meaning of happiness and prosperity in America today, Robert Frank explains how increased concentrations of income and wealth at the top of the economic pyramid have set off "expenditure cascades" that raise the cost of achieving many basic goals for the middle class. Drawing from up-to-date economic data and everyday examples, Frank compels us to rethink how and why we live our economic lives the way we do.

Contents:

Introduction

Recent changes in income and wealth inequality

Inequality, happiness, and health

Envy or context?

The rising cost of adequate

Why do we care about rank?

What types of consumption are most sensitive to context?

How can middle-class families afford to keep up?

Smart for one, dumb for all

Looking ahead

Lessons for public policy

Reflections.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 133-140) and index.

ISBN:

9780520251885

0520251881

9780520252523

0520252527

OCLC:

71146128

Online:

Publisher description