Bibliograph

The crisis of the middle class constitution, why economic inequality threatens our Republic, Ganesh Sitaraman

Type

Label

The crisis of the middle class constitution, why economic inequality threatens our Republic, Ganesh Sitaraman

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-402) and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The crisis of the middle class constitution

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

951465462

Responsibility statement

Ganesh Sitaraman

Sub title

why economic inequality threatens our Republic

Summary

"Argues that America's strong and sizable middle class is actually embedded in the framework of the nation's government and its founding document and discusses the necessity of taking equality-establishing measures,"--NoveList"In this original, provocative contribution to the debate over economic inequality, Ganesh Sitaraman argues that a strong and sizable middle class is a prerequisite for America's constitutional system. For most of Western history, Sitaraman argues, constitutional thinkers assumed economic inequality was inevitable and inescapable--and they designed governments to prevent class divisions from spilling over into class warfare. The American Constitution is different. Compared to Europe and the ancient world, America was a society of almost unprecedented economic equality, and the founding generation saw this equality as essential for the preservation of America's republic. Over the next two centuries, generations of Americans fought to sustain the economic preconditions for our constitutional system. But today, with economic and political inequality on the rise, Sitaraman says Americans face a choice: Will we accept rising economic inequality and risk oligarchy or will we rebuild the middle class and reclaim our republic? The Crisis of the Middle-Class Constitution is a tour de force of history, philosophy, law, and politics. It makes a compelling case that inequality is more than just a moral or economic problem; it threatens the very core of our constitutional system."--Jacket

Table Of Contents

From Athens to America : the two traditions -- America's middle-class constitution -- The emergence of the plutocracy -- The search for solutions -- How economic inequality threatens the Republic -- The future of the middle class constitution

Classification