Preface1 Background and HistoryIntroductionDefining and Measuring Income InequalityInequality of What?Inequality among Whom?Measuring InequalityInequality and PovertyData SourcesEconomics and InequalityThe History of Income Inequality in the United States1607--1790: The Young Nation and the Hope of Equality1790--1860: Growing Divisions1860--1910: Emancipation, Industrialization, and the Gilded Age1910--1970: The Great Leveling1970--2020: The Return of Inequality2020 and Beyond: Pandemic, Racial Reckoning, and InequalityConclusionReferences2 Problems, Controversies, and SolutionsWhy Is Some Income Inequality to Be Expected?Inequality of Earned IncomeInequality of Unearned IncomeThe Equalizing Effects of Transfer Income and TaxesWhy Has the Distribution of Income Become More Unequal Over Time?Why Is "Too Much" Inequality a Social Problem?What Are Some Potential Solutions to Income Inequality?ConclusionReferences3 PerspectivesPromoting Early Childhood Education to Address Inequality and OpportunityAlison BaulosMichael Tubbs and Universal Basic IncomeRobert S. RycroftThe Answer to America's Ineffective Welfare System? A Universal Basic IncomeLeah HamiltonAn Immigrant's StoryRobert S. RycroftKim Thomas and the Fight for $15Robert S. RycroftIncome Inequality and the Future of DemocracyRichard LachmannMedicare-for-AllRobert S. RycroftGlobalization and Regional Economic Inequality in the United StatesMeenakshi RishiRyan CowlesThe Gig EconomyRobert S. RycroftMonopoly and Inequality in the United StatesSteven M. SuranovicHealth in the United States: Two Different BallgamesErin VernonM. Courtney Hughes"Ban the Box"Robert S. RycroftComprehensive Paid Family Leave Will Combat InequalityMarilyn WatkinsBrian Weber v. "Reverse Discrimination"Robert S. RycroftHigher Education and the Shrinking American Middle ClassArt C. BairdJill C. YoshikawaSchool VouchersRobert S. RycroftArguing Over the One PercentRobert S. Rycroft4 ProfilesIndividualsClaudia Goldin (1946--)N. Gregory Mankiw (1958--)Mollie Orshansky (1915--2016)Thomas Piketty (1971--)Pope Francis (1936--)Paul Ryan (1970--)Bernie Sanders (1941--)Elizabeth Warren (1949--)Andrew Yang (1975--)OrganizationsBlack Lives MatterCitizens for Tax JusticeEconomic Policy InstituteEqual Employment Opportunity CommissionFederal Reserve SystemFight for $15Heritage FoundationInstitute for Women's Policy ResearchOccupy Wall StreetWashington Center for Equitable Growth5 Data and DocumentsDataTracking Income Inequality in the United StatesIncome and Wealth Inequality in the Long RunPovertySocial MobilityEarnings Differences by Race/Ethnicity and GenderRacial Wealth GapIncome Inequality by GenderDocumentsCivil Rights Act of 1964Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)Social Mobility and the Great Gatsby Curve6 ResourcesBooksArticles and ReportsNonprint Sources7 ChronologyGlossaryIndex