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Acknowledgments | |
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Foreword | |
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Introduction: Economic Boom for Whom? | |
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The Amazing U.S. Economy? | |
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Warning: Entering New Global Economy-Proceed with Caution | |
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The Trends: Rising Tide, Sinking Boats | |
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We Can Build a Fairer Economy | |
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About the Book | |
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The Dangerous Consequences of Growing Inequality | |
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Pressures Facing Our Households | |
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Inequality and the Threat to Prosperity | |
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Inequality and Democracy | |
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Inequality and Public Health | |
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Social Polarization and the Withdrawal of the Haves | |
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You Are On Your Own: The New Individualism | |
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Gated Communities and Bigger Prisons | |
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The Picture: Growing Economic Insecurity and Inequality | |
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The Inequality of Income and Wages | |
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Race, Gender, and Income | |
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The Gap between Highest and Average Wage-Earners | |
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The Inequality of Wealth | |
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What Is Wealth and Why Is It Important? | |
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The Concentration of Wealth | |
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The Myth of Who Owns Assets | |
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The Wealth-Holders | |
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Global Inequality | |
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The Champagne-Glass Global Distribution of Income | |
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The Causes of Inequality | |
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Why Has Inequality Grown? | |
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The Power Shift | |
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Money Power in Our Democracy | |
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The Rise in Concentrated Corporate Power | |
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The Attack on Workers' Rights | |
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Decline in the Influence of the Civic Sector | |
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Decline in Independent Politics | |
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The Rules Governing the Economy | |
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Global Trade and Investment Policy | |
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Taxation | |
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The Restructuring of Work and the Breakdown in the Social Contract | |
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Regulation and Deregulation | |
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Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy | |
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Government Social Spending, the Safety Net, and Corporate Welfare | |
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The Culture of Greed vs. the Common Good | |
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Building a Fair Economy Movement | |
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The Tradition of Taking Action to Reduce Inequality | |
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Movement-Building | |
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Stages of Social Movements | |
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Cultural Preparation and Organization | |
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Building Public Support | |
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Consolidation | |
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Building a Movement Infrastructure | |
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Challenging the Mythology Underlying Inequality | |
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Understanding Class in U.S. Society | |
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Actions to Close the Economic Divide | |
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Building a Real Democracy | |
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Building Workers' Power | |
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Removing the Influence of Big Money from Our Democracy | |
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Building Independent Politics | |
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Reining in Corporate Power | |
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Changing the Rules to Build a Fair Economy | |
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Global Trade and Investment Rules | |
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Reducing Wage Inequality | |
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Reducing the Asset and Wealth Gap | |
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Fair Taxation | |
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Fighting Corporate Welfare | |
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Reforming Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve | |
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Alternatives for a Fair Economy | |
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Conclusion | |
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We Are United for a Fair Economy and Class Action | |
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Further Reading | |
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Notes | |