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It has made the United States the most hopeful and dynamic country on earth, and it is a foundation of strong democracy.
Yet today, the American Dream is in trouble. Too many people who play by the rules and do everything right find that they cannot climb into the middle class -- or stay there. As a result of major economic changes over the past three decades, the traditional routes to a secure middle class life are less easy to travel than in the past.
At Demos, we believe that in order to reverse this trend, policymakers and advocates need both long-term policy solutions to define where we should go, and broad-based public support for getting there. To this end, we have crafted over-the-horizon policy solutions in four critical areas -- higher education, income, debt and assets -- to help grow and protect the middle class. We have also helped develop a communications toolkit for advocates, providing an effective frame for talking about the issues facing families struggling to make ends meet.
Publications
Economic (In)Security
The Experience of the African-American and Latino Middle Classes
February 21, 2008
By a Thread
The New Experience of America's Middle Class
November 28, 2007
African Americans, Latinos and Economic Opportunity in the 21st Century
March 22, 2006
The United States faces major challenges in sustaining a strong middle class in the decades ahead. Rapidly changing, often volatile economic conditions are making it more difficult to enter the middle class -- and stay there. Even as the bar to a middle class life is raised higher, economic opportunity is fading. As a result, the most rapidly growing groups in the U.S. -- particularly African Americans and Latinos -- face growing obstacles to entering, and staying in, America's middle class.
Measuring the Middle
Assessing What It Takes to Be Middle Class
September 8, 2005
This report is the second in a series of Demos publications which looks specifically
at growing the middle class.
Build a Strong Middle Class
Communications Toolkit for Advocates (PDF)
October 13, 2004
Gives advocates the tools they need to bring the issue of economic insecurity among America's aspiring middle class to the forefront of the political debate.
Millions to the Middle - Executive Summary
Three Strategies to Expand the Middle Class
August 30, 2004
A concise executive summary of "Millions to the Middle", a report on the future of economic security in the New Economy, offers long-range ideas for creating tomorrow's vibrant middle class, in the areas of higher education, income, debt and assets.
Millions to the Middle
Three Strategies to Expand the Middle Class
August 30, 2004
An in-depth report on the future of economic security in the New Economy. Offers long-range ideas for creating tomorrow's vibrant middle class in the areas of higher education, income, debt and assets.
Opportunity 2004: Briefing Memo
Growing and Protecting the Middle Class
August 5, 2004
Overview memo to advocates and policymakers, urging a new investment in policies around higher education, income, assets, and personal debt.
Leveling the Playing Field
Expanding Access to Higher Education
August 4, 2004
Two-page policy brief outlining the need for a new grant-based investment in higher education ("The Contract for College") in order to grow and protect the middle class.
Closing the Gap
Helping Working Families Make Ends Meet
August 3, 2004
Two-page brief proposing a new Working Families Tax Credit to fill the gap between workers' low wages and the real cost of living in America.
Building the American Dream
Asset-Building as a Foundation
August 3, 2004
Two-page policy brief recommending three new asset-based solutions to grow and protect the middle class.
Restoring Borrower Security
Addressing the Debt Crisis in America
August 2, 2004
Two-page policy brief with new solutions to lower the cost of credit and help Americans get out of debt.
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