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Poverty, by America

Poverty, by America

EssaysPolitics & Society
Pages
287
Published
2023
Language
English

Synopsis

Matthew Desmond's "Poverty, by America" is a stark examination of poverty in the United States and the systems that perpetuate it. Desmond argues that poverty is not an inevitable outcome but a choice made by the wealthy, who benefit from the status quo. This book challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about economic inequality and consider their role in creating a more just society.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

Thought-ProvokingReflectiveComplexInformative

Genres

Essays Politics & Society Sociology

About the author

M
Matthew Desmond

Matthew Desmond is Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology and Principal Investigator of The Eviction Lab. After receiving his Ph.D. in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, he joined the Harvard Society of Fellows as a Junior Fellow. His primary teaching and research interests include urban sociology, poverty, race and ethnicity, organizations and work, social theory, and ethnography. Desmond is the author of four books: On the Fireline: Living and Dying with WIldland Firefigh...

Frequently asked questions

  • How does this book relate to Matthew Desmond's other work?

    This book builds on the themes of poverty and inequality that Matthew Desmond explored in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City." While "Evicted" focused on the micro-level impact of housing instability, "Poverty, by America" broadens the scope to examine systemic causes and the role of the affluent.

  • What makes this book stand out from other books about poverty?

    Matthew Desmond's approach in this book is notable for directly implicating the wealthy and middle class in the perpetuation of poverty, rather than solely focusing on the experiences of the poor. It challenges readers to consider their own complicity and the structural mechanisms that maintain economic inequality.