TAP Online is hosting an ongoing exchange about the economic state of the middle class and the right political appeal to reach middle-income Americans. Stephen Rose and Lawrence Mishel kicked things off with opening articles on Monday, September 4, and initial responses from others are included below. This page will be continuously updated as new contributions are added. (Also see an ongoing discussion of middle-class politics hosted by
The Democratic Strategist here.)
"What's (Not) the Matter With the Middle Class?" by Stephen Rose
"Populist Persuasion," by Lawrence Mishel
RESPONSES, ROUND 1
"Don't Look Back," by Matthew Yglesias
"Guess What? There's Reason for Gloom," by Jeff Madrick
"The Real Issue Is Risk," by Jacob S. Hacker
"Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time," by Jason Furman
"Bad Times, Bad Policies," by Dean Baker
"Both-And, Not Either-Or," by Ruy Teixeira
"The Middle-Class Anxiety Attack," by Tamara Draut
RESPONSES, ROUND 2
"The Glass Isn't Always Three-Quarters Empty: A Response," by Stephen Rose
"Three Plateaus Facing the Middle Class," by Wally Knox
"Far From Good Enough," by Lawrence Mishel
* * *
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to The American Prospect here.
Support independent media with a tax-deductible donation here.
Feeds: 
symbol identifies content for paid subscribers only.
