Summary
Matthew Desmond's Poverty, by America is a groundbreaking exploration of why poverty persists in the world's wealthiest nation. Published in 2023, this New York Times bestseller offers a provocative thesis: affluent Americans unknowingly perpetuate poverty through their financial choices and support of policies that prioritize their own wealth over poverty alleviation.
Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist, draws on extensive research and original reporting to make his case. He examines how the wealthy exploit the poor through low wages, overpriced housing, and predatory lending practices. The book has received critical acclaim for its elegant writing, fierce argumentation, and compassionate approach to a morally urgent problem.
While Poverty, by America doesn't shy away from hard truths, it also offers hope. Desmond presents systemic solutions and calls on readers to become “poverty abolitionists.” This landmark work has been praised for its accessibility and moral force, making it a must-read for anyone concerned about economic inequality in the United States.
Plot
In “Poverty, by America,” Matthew Desmond examines the persistent issue of poverty in the United States, the wealthiest nation on Earth. He argues that affluent Americans, both knowingly and unknowingly, contribute to keeping poor people in poverty. The book explores how financially secure individuals exploit the poor by driving down wages and forcing them to overpay for essentials like housing, cash access, and credit.
Desmond delves into the ways in which American society prioritizes the subsidization of wealth over poverty alleviation. He criticizes the current welfare state design, which he claims provides the most benefits to those who need them the least. The author also highlights how opportunity is concentrated in exclusive communities, creating stark contrasts between areas of extreme wealth and extreme poverty.
Through extensive historical research and original reporting, Desmond presents a comprehensive analysis of why poverty persists in America. He argues that the current system allows some lives to be diminished so that others may prosper. The book examines various facets of this issue, including child poverty, homelessness, and corporate practices that perpetuate low wages.
While presenting a sobering view of the current state of poverty in America, Desmond also offers potential solutions. He builds a case for ending poverty and calls on readers to become “poverty abolitionists.” The author envisions a new approach to addressing this moral and social issue, advocating for a politics of collective belonging that could usher in an era of shared prosperity and true freedom for all Americans.
Themes
Systemic causes of poverty in America
Exploitation of the poor by affluent Americans
Ineffective welfare policies and wealth subsidization
Concentrated zones of wealth and poverty
Role of corporations in perpetuating low wages
Call for collective action as “poverty abolitionists"
Proposals for ending poverty through policy reform
Setting
Poverty, by America is set in the contemporary United States, examining the persistent issue of poverty in one of the world's wealthiest nations. Desmond's analysis spans the entire country, from bustling urban centers to struggling rural communities, painting a comprehensive picture of economic inequality across America.
While the book doesn't focus on a specific time period, it draws on historical context to explain how poverty has evolved and persisted in the US. Desmond explores how policies and societal structures from the past continue to shape the current landscape of poverty, creating a narrative that bridges America's economic history with its present-day challenges.
Throughout the book, Desmond takes readers to various locales that exemplify different facets of American poverty. From impoverished neighborhoods in major cities to forgotten towns in the heartland, he illustrates how poverty manifests differently across geographic and demographic lines, yet remains a pervasive issue throughout the nation.
Key Figures
Matthew Desmond: The author of Poverty, by America. Desmond is a Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist and professor known for his work on poverty and housing in America. He draws on extensive research and original reporting to present his arguments in this book. Desmond's previous work includes the acclaimed book Evicted.
Affluent Americans: A collective character group discussed throughout the book. Desmond argues that this group, often unknowingly, benefits from and perpetuates poverty in the United States. They are described as exploiting the poor through various economic and social mechanisms.
Poor Americans: Another collective character group central to the book's narrative. Desmond examines how one in eight American children lack basic necessities and how many citizens live and die on the streets. He explores the systemic factors keeping this group in poverty.
Corporations: Entities discussed in the book for their role in maintaining poverty. Desmond criticizes them for paying poverty wages and exploiting workers.
Quick facts
The book argues that affluent Americans unknowingly perpetuate poverty for their own benefit.
The author previously won a Pulitzer Prize for his book Evicted in 2017.
Poverty, by America was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence.
The book criticizes the current welfare state for giving the most to those who need it least.
Desmond conducted original reporting and historical research for this sociological analysis.
The author argues that the U.S. has more poverty than any other advanced democracy.
Some critics praised the book's policy proposals while others found them lacking in implementation details.
The book sparked debate among economists about how to measure poverty rates and progress.
About the Author
Matthew Desmond is a prominent American sociologist and urban ethnographer, currently serving as the Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology at Princeton University. He is also the Director of the Eviction Lab and a Contributing Writer for The New York Times Magazine. Desmond's work primarily focuses on American poverty and public policy, making him a leading voice in these fields.
Desmond's groundbreaking book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, catapulted him to national recognition. Published in 2016, this work won numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award. The book's impact extends beyond literary circles, as it has been named one of the Best 50 Nonfiction Books of the Last 100 Years and included in the 100 Best Social Policy Books of All Time.
Throughout his career, Desmond has received several prestigious honors. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 2015, recognizing his innovative approach to studying poverty. He is also an elected member of the American Philosophical Society and has been listed among the Politico 50 as one of the most influential voices in the national political debate.
Desmond's academic journey began at Arizona State University, where he earned a B.S. in communications and justice studies while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He later obtained his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His prolific career includes authoring over fifty academic studies and several books, consistently contributing to the understanding of poverty and its societal impacts.
