Williamsburg Regional Library

Poverty, by America, Matthew Desmond

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

Poverty, by America

bibliography

1333920883

Matthew Desmond

"The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages? In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow. Elegantly written and fiercely argued, this compassionate book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem. It also helps us imagine solutions"--, Provided by publisher

Prologue -- Ch. 1. The kind of problem poverty is -- Ch. 2. Why haven't we made more progress? -- Ch. 3. How we undercut workers -- Ch. 4. How we force the poor to pay more -- Ch. 5. How we rely on welfare -- Ch. 6. How we buy opportunity -- Ch. 7. Invest in ending poverty -- Ch. 8. Empower the poor -- Ch. 9. Tear down the walls -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index

adult