Adrift: America in 100 Charts

Innovations

The post-World War II era in America was marked by significant technological and social advancements that fueled the growth of the middle class. Scott Galloway highlights the creation of the national highway system, a monumental project initiated by Eisenhower, as a key factor in this transformation. This period also saw the emergence of groundbreaking technologies like the computer, cellular phone, and the Internet, but the most profound innovation was the establishment of a broad, inclusive middle class.

The middle class, a broad, inclusive, and prosperous middle class, provided capitalism something it had long lacked. Ballast.

--- Scott Galloway

This middle class served as a stabilizing force, promoting economic mobility and a higher quality of life for millions of Americans 1.

   

Economic Policies

Economic policies post-WWII, such as the GI Bill and progressive taxation, played a crucial role in establishing and expanding the American middle class. Scott Galloway explains how these policies redistributed wealth through social programs and investments in infrastructure, education, and science. This redistribution led to wage growth, public education improvements, and increased economic mobility, which collectively enhanced the quality of life for many households.

The combination of wage growth, public education, economic mobility, and an abundance of manufactured goods brought an unprecedented quality of life to millions of households.

--- Scott Galloway

These policies not only benefited white men but also significantly increased workforce participation among women and black men, marking a period of notable progress against historical inequities 1.