Social Classes In The United States

One of the world’s strongest economies, the United States, seems to provide unique life standards which are prevalent in a very small percentage compared to the rest of the world. However, the wealth disparity presented in the country shatters the benefits a world-class economy should theoretically provide for its citizens. The United States embraces the title of the world 's largest economy by nominal and real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but the title fails to analyze the many consequences that occur from this particular type of economy. Moreover, the USA faces difficulties due to discrimination on the basis of social classes. Social class in the United States is a controversial issue, having many competing definitions, models, and even disagreements over its very existence. …show more content…
However, more complex models that have been proposed describe as many as a dozen class levels; while still others deny the very existence, in the European sense, of "social class" in American society. In Jill Lepore’s article, “Richer And Poor,” the author explains inequality of outcome and inequality of opportunity because of which social mobility has been rare to see in the present, which is the reality of “class” in modern America. Additionally, author Michael Zweig in his new book excerpt, “America’s Working Class Majority,” and Ray Fisman and Daniel Markowitz in their article, “Why Income Inequality Isn’t Going Anywhere,” both illustrate through real life examples and studies how class divisions assert themselves, and solely function to maintain a hierarchy in American society by not providing the working class