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The 9.9 Percent Is the New American Aristocracy

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The 9.9 Percent Is the New American Aristocracy

The Atlantic,

5 min read
5 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

A “new aristocracy” of Americans is preventing the bottom 90% from pursuing the American Dream.

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Concrete Examples
  • Eloquent

Recommendation

Equality of opportunity has been a founding principle of the American Republic. However, in an eye-opening, self-deprecating cover story for The Atlantic magazine, Matthew Stewart uses statistics and personal anecdotes to describe how privilege in the United States is becoming increasingly inheritable. If you consider yourself part of a meritocratic middle class, getAbstract believes Stewart might change your mind.

Summary

Inequality in the United States has risen sharply. Since the mid-1980s, the wealth share of the top 0.1% rose by 12 percentage points, while that of the bottom 90% fell by the same amount. The wealth share of the 9.9% in between, however, has remained stable. The 9.9% have come to form a distinct new class with a strong resemblance to an aristocracy founded on wealth and birth. By definition, the 9.9% have a minimum net worth of $1.2 million. They are mostly white, hold advanced degrees, and for the most part earn their living in the financial, managerial, legal or medical sectors. Although members of the 9.9% still perceive themselves...

About the Author

Matthew Stewart is a political philosopher and author of Nature’s God and The Management Myth.

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