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The Reality and Implications of Social Classes in America — Part I
How increasing social stratification continues to divide and harm our future at a time when we most need to come together
Reader advisory: Occasional slips of profanity present
The genesis of this essay stems from the ongoing debate across all sides of the political spectrum resulting from the second, non-consecutive term, election of Donald Trump, a rare event in American history, unexpected by many. Many are struggling to answer the questions of “how” and “why” did this happen. This article attempts to reflect from a centrist position on the role of “social classes” in America, how they operate, influence and yield power in our country.
I have decided to take a different approach to this article. Rather than write a monolithic text, I landed on releasing my work, in segments, shorter essays, that can be read in under 10 minutes, and in some cases much less. Structurally, I have landed on a series comprised of five posts, a number potentially subject to later expansion. Here is what you will read.
In Part I, I will start this journey with a few words stemming from a justifiable emotional response. A sense of outrage couple with despair, tempered by an uneasy level of self-restraint.
Part II will present some background on social classes and how some scholars have segmented American society. It is important to recognize that America is unequal, and that we don’t live in a single reality when it comes to societal footprint.
In Part III I expect things to get more interesting, and I will provide a few summary on approach that was taken to win the election. Yes, this will highlight the brilliant game that our new “ruling class” has used to gain and lock up power, for some unforeseen future. It describes in other words, the “The HOW”.
In Part IV instead, we will move on to “The WHY”. This is where social classes come together with facts about our economy since the 1970's.
Finally, in Part V, I will attempt to bring some optimism into the picture. And if that is not possible, I will provide recommendations for coping with the “hardship” that may hit many of us.
