What Do Unions Do for the Middle Class? ReportJanuary 13, 2016 What Do Unions Do for the Middle Class? The decline of unions over the past 30 years has contributed to the falling share of middle-class workers. Jan 13, 2016 Richard Freeman, Eunice Han, Brendan Duke, 1 More David Madland
Wisconsin, Unions, and the Middle Class Fact SheetNovember 10, 2015 Wisconsin, Unions, and the Middle Class Wisconsin’s middle class is falling behind. Unions can help by raising wages and reducing the pay gap. Nov 10, 2015 Brendan Duke, Alex Rowell
More Data, Same Problem: A Wide Look at Income Trends in the Middle Class ArticleSeptember 14, 2015 More Data, Same Problem: A Wide Look at Income Trends in the Middle Class Different data sources concur that middle-class market incomes have grown slowly, if at all, despite significant growth in the economy at large. Sep 14, 2015 Brendan Duke, Andrew Schwartz
Bargaining for the American Dream ReportSeptember 9, 2015 Bargaining for the American Dream New analysis shows that children whose parents belonged to a union—as well as children who grew up in areas with high union membership—earn more money as adults. Sep 9, 2015 Richard Freeman, Eunice Han, David Madland, 1 More Brendan Duke
New Data Illustrate the Failure of the Trickle-Down Experiment ArticleJune 29, 2015 New Data Illustrate the Failure of the Trickle-Down Experiment Updated data from University of California, Berkeley, economist Emmanuel Saez illustrate how middle-class income growth is essential to promote healthy economic growth. Jun 29, 2015 Brendan Duke
The Rich Can’t Save Retail ReportMarch 12, 2015 The Rich Can’t Save Retail It’s time for the retail industry to support a policy agenda that helps its most important customers—the middle class. Mar 12, 2015 Brendan Duke
Retailer Revelations ReportOctober 13, 2014 Retailer Revelations America’s retailers need a strong and expanding middle class. That’s why it’s time for retailers to back a policy agenda that addresses middle-class weakness and stagnant wages, which will boost the economy and grow corporate bottom lines. Oct 13, 2014 Brendan Duke, Ike Lee
Innovations in Apprenticeship ReportSeptember 25, 2014 Innovations in Apprenticeship Forward-thinking employers across the country are demonstrating that apprenticeships can be used to build talent in growing, high-demand occupations. Sep 25, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg, Ethan Gurwitz
The Middle-Class Squeeze ReportSeptember 24, 2014 The Middle-Class Squeeze America's middle class is being squeezed by stagnant—and in many cases declining—incomes and rising costs. To address the middle-class squeeze, we need to enact policies that will both increase incomes and also address rising child care, higher education, health care, housing, and retirement costs. Sep 24, 2014 Jennifer Erickson
National Standards for Strong Apprenticeships ReportAugust 27, 2014 National Standards for Strong Apprenticeships Employer-written national guideline standards can strengthen America’s apprenticeship system. Aug 27, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg
How Overtime Reform Will Grow the Economy from the Middle Out ArticleAugust 6, 2014 How Overtime Reform Will Grow the Economy from the Middle Out Modernizing overtime rules would kickstart our economy in the short term and help us invest in human capital in the long term. Aug 6, 2014 Brendan Duke
Why Millennials Aren’t Saving for Retirement—and What We Can Do to Change That ArticleJuly 31, 2014 Why Millennials Aren’t Saving for Retirement—and What We Can Do to Change That Millennials are saving less for retirement than older generations, threatening the long-term financial security of the youngest generation of American workers. Jul 31, 2014 Ben Schwartz, Sarah Ayres Steinberg
The Underuse of Apprenticeships in America ArticleJuly 22, 2014 The Underuse of Apprenticeships in America The United States lags behind its European counterparts in the use of apprenticeships, a proven workforce training tool that would help American businesses, workers, and the U.S. economy as a whole. Jul 22, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg, Ethan Gurwitz
The Bottom Line: Apprenticeships Are Good for Business ArticleJuly 14, 2014 The Bottom Line: Apprenticeships Are Good for Business Here are the top five ways American companies can benefit from hiring an apprentice. Jul 14, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg, Ben Schwartz
Policies States Can Enact to Promote Apprenticeship ArticleJune 30, 2014 Policies States Can Enact to Promote Apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a time-tested worker-training model that is gaining traction as a possible solution to America’s workforce challenges. Here are some steps that states can take to expand apprenticeships. Jun 30, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg, Ethan Gurwitz, Ben Schwartz
America’s Incredible Shrinking Overtime Rights Need an Update ReportJune 25, 2014 America’s Incredible Shrinking Overtime Rights Need an Update Guaranteed overtime rights are on the brink of extinction if the U.S. Department of Labor does not move to protect them. Jun 25, 2014 Brendan Duke
Apprenticeship Expansion in England ReportJune 6, 2014 Apprenticeship Expansion in England England demonstrates that there are policies lawmakers can enact to dramatically expand apprenticeships, win industry support, and improve outcomes for workers and businesses. Jun 6, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg, Ethan Gurwitz
What the United States Can Learn from Scotland’s Apprenticeship Expansion ArticleMay 22, 2014 What the United States Can Learn from Scotland’s Apprenticeship Expansion Scotland has doubled its number of apprenticeships while expanding their occupational and gender reach. May 22, 2014 Sarah Ayres Steinberg, Jennifer Erickson
Progressive Pro-Growth Principles for Trade and Competitiveness ReportMarch 11, 2014 Progressive Pro-Growth Principles for Trade and Competitiveness The United States must develop the international relations and domestic foundations to make trade work for the United States and global middle classes. Mar 11, 2014 Adam Hersh, Jennifer Erickson
Making Progress on Trade and Competitiveness ArticleMarch 11, 2014 Making Progress on Trade and Competitiveness How trade can work for the middle class. Mar 11, 2014 Adam Hersh, Jennifer Erickson
6 Policies to Combat Inequality ArticleJanuary 28, 2014 6 Policies to Combat Inequality Six common-sense policies could help roll back economic inequality in America. Jan 28, 2014 Ben Olinsky
5 Reasons Expanding Apprenticeships Will Benefit Millennials ArticleDecember 2, 2013 5 Reasons Expanding Apprenticeships Will Benefit Millennials Lawmakers should expand apprenticeship opportunities to give young Americans access to well-paying, middle-class jobs that do not require a four-year degree. Dec 2, 2013 Sarah Ayres Steinberg
Training for Success: A Policy to Expand Apprenticeships in the United States ReportDecember 2, 2013 Training for Success: A Policy to Expand Apprenticeships in the United States By expanding apprenticeships in the United States, policymakers can create pathways to well-paying middle-class jobs for young Americans, while helping businesses meet the need for skilled workers. Dec 2, 2013 Ben Olinsky, Sarah Ayres Steinberg
Promoting Good Jobs for Millennials ReportNovember 19, 2013 Promoting Good Jobs for Millennials Young Americans have the most to gain from raising the minimum wage and enhancing worker protections. Nov 19, 2013 Sarah Ayres Steinberg
Top 6 Policies to Help the Middle Class that Won’t Cost Taxpayers a Penny ArticleApril 24, 2013 Top 6 Policies to Help the Middle Class that Won’t Cost Taxpayers a Penny There are a number of things that policymakers can do to strengthen the middle class that won't require any additional expenditures. Apr 24, 2013 David Madland, Karla Walter
Middle-Out Economics 101 VideoFebruary 21, 2013 Middle-Out Economics 101 CAP Senior Economist Heather Boushey explains how middle-out economics helps bolster the U.S. economy. Feb 21, 2013 Heather Boushey
Can Americans Reclaim the Dream? Past EventDecember 17, 2012 Can Americans Reclaim the Dream? Dec 17, 2012
Michigan ‘Right-to-Work’ Bill Is the Wrong Economics for the Middle Class ReportDecember 10, 2012 Michigan ‘Right-to-Work’ Bill Is the Wrong Economics for the Middle Class So-called right-to-work legislation will make it harder for unions to do their job: improving wages and working conditions. That, in turn, will weaken the middle class, which will lower our nation’s economic competitiveness. Dec 10, 2012 Adam Hersh, Heather Boushey, David Madland
5 Charts that Show How Increasing Income Inequality Leads to Less Opportunity ArticleDecember 5, 2012 5 Charts that Show How Increasing Income Inequality Leads to Less Opportunity High levels of income inequality are strongly related to low levels of economic mobility and opportunity, as these graphs clearly show. Dec 5, 2012 Nick Bunker
How to Slide Down the ‘Great Gatsby Curve’ ReportDecember 5, 2012 How to Slide Down the ‘Great Gatsby Curve’ Higher income inequality leads to less economic mobility and fewer opportunities for future generations, according to new research on the Great Gatsby Curve. Dec 5, 2012 Miles Corak
Income Inequality in the United States Fuels Pessimism and Threatens Social Cohesion ReportDecember 5, 2012 Income Inequality in the United States Fuels Pessimism and Threatens Social Cohesion This working paper determines that income inequality leads to pessimism and anger about the direction of the country, therefore causing our sense of unity and society to erode. Dec 5, 2012 Eric M. Uslaner
Why President Obama’s Victory Is a Victory for the Middle Class ArticleNovember 7, 2012 Why President Obama’s Victory Is a Victory for the Middle Class The president’s re-election means voters have agreed with the idea that an economy that works for everyone and that is built from the “middle out” is the correct path for our country. Nov 7, 2012 Gadi Dechter
CANCELLED: Trick or Treat: Eminent Domain as a Means to Reduce Principal Past EventOctober 31, 2012 CANCELLED: Trick or Treat: Eminent Domain as a Means to Reduce Principal Oct 31, 2012
Making Saving for Retirement Easier, Cheaper, and More Secure ReportSeptember 20, 2012 Making Saving for Retirement Easier, Cheaper, and More Secure Allowing workers to enroll in either a collective defined-contribution plan or a Thrift Savings Plan would ensure all Americans have access to a quality retirement plan, significantly boosting savings and security while at the same time helping to ensure workers can retire with dignity. Sep 20, 2012 David Madland
About the Middle Class Project at the Center for American Progress ArticleAugust 31, 2012 About the Middle Class Project at the Center for American Progress This series lays the intellectual groundwork for the middle class as the engine of American economic growth and refutes the false notion that supply-side economics works in theory or practice. Aug 31, 2012 Gadi Dechter
5 Charts on the State of the Middle Class ArticleAugust 30, 2012 5 Charts on the State of the Middle Class In five charts, David Madland and Nick Bunker show that the middle class faces a number of economic challenges. Aug 30, 2012 David Madland, Nick Bunker
Video: Once Upon a Trickle Down VideoAugust 1, 2012 Video: Once Upon a Trickle Down The Center for American Progress and cartoonist Mark Fiore explain why a strong middle class is critical for robust economic growth. Aug 1, 2012 Center for American Progress, Mark Fiore
The Failure of Supply-Side Economics ArticleAugust 1, 2012 The Failure of Supply-Side Economics Michael Ettlinger and Michael Linden give three decades' worth of evidence that proves supply-side economics doesn't work. Aug 1, 2012 Michael Ettlinger, Michael Linden
The Middle Class and Economic Growth ArticleAugust 1, 2012 The Middle Class and Economic Growth CAP's Middle Class and Economic Growth project looks to provide a better understanding of the relationship between middle-class strength and the nation’s economic health. Aug 1, 2012 Michael Ettlinger
Making Our Middle Class Stronger ReportAugust 1, 2012 Making Our Middle Class Stronger Report from David Madland presents 35 policies that would help address the challenges Americans face in achieving and maintaining a middle-class standard of living. Aug 1, 2012 David Madland
The American Middle Class, Income Inequality, and the Strength of Our Economy ReportMay 17, 2012 The American Middle Class, Income Inequality, and the Strength of Our Economy Heather Boushey and Adam S. Hersh discuss ways that the strength of the middle class and the level of societal inequality both affect economic growth and stability. May 17, 2012 Heather Boushey, Adam Hersh
How the Middle Class Strengthens Government and the Economy Past EventApril 19, 2012 How the Middle Class Strengthens Government and the Economy Apr 19, 2012
The Federal Tax Code and Income Inequality ReportApril 19, 2012 The Federal Tax Code and Income Inequality Michael Linden examines how our tax code has grown less effective at dampening income inequality, and how various proposals to reform the code would affect inequality. Apr 19, 2012 Michael Linden
Harkin Bill a Big Step Forward for Our Middle Class ArticleMarch 29, 2012 Harkin Bill a Big Step Forward for Our Middle Class David Madland details why the Rebuild America Act is a crucial and comprehensive piece of legislation for restoring broad-based prosperity and sustained economic growth. Mar 29, 2012 David Madland
The Origins of Prosperity ArticleMarch 28, 2012 The Origins of Prosperity Daron Acemoglu and his co-author spoke at the Center for American Progress last week about why nations fail. Mar 28, 2012
Why Nations Fail Past EventMarch 23, 2012 Why Nations Fail The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty Mar 23, 2012
Ties that Bind ArticleMarch 22, 2012 Ties that Bind David Madland and Nick Bunker explain why rebuilding the American middle class is an important step toward rebuilding America’s infrastructure. Mar 22, 2012 David Madland, Nick Bunker
Assessing Inequality, Mobility, and Opportunity ArticleFebruary 9, 2012 Assessing Inequality, Mobility, and Opportunity CAP Senior Economist Heather Boushey testifies before the Senate Committee on the Budget. Feb 9, 2012 Heather Boushey
Rebuilding Our Middle Class ArticleJanuary 25, 2012 Rebuilding Our Middle Class Gadi Dechter and Michael Ettlinger analyze the president’s forceful defense of the middle class as our economy’s engine of economic growth and prosperity. Jan 25, 2012 Gadi Dechter, Michael Ettlinger
The Top 10 Middle-Class Acts of Congress ArticleJanuary 19, 2012 The Top 10 Middle-Class Acts of Congress Congress would do well to reflect on passage of key middle-class legislation as it considers how to strengthen our economy, writes Nick Bunker. Jan 19, 2012 Nick Bunker
A Sweet 16 to Build a Strong Middle Class ArticleJanuary 18, 2012 A Sweet 16 to Build a Strong Middle Class Karla Walter presents 16 ideas for the middle class that aren’t part of the national debate but should be. Jan 18, 2012 Karla Walter
President Obama’s Bridge to a Better Economy ArticleJanuary 17, 2012 President Obama’s Bridge to a Better Economy Michael Ettlinger details the two policy threads that define the president’s approach toward immediate but also sustainable economic recovery in 2012. Jan 17, 2012 Michael Ettlinger
The Rise and Consequences of Inequality Past EventJanuary 12, 2012 The Rise and Consequences of Inequality Jan 12, 2012
The Middle Class Grows the Economy, Not the Rich ArticleDecember 7, 2011 The Middle Class Grows the Economy, Not the Rich David Madland shows how a strong middle class is the key to higher GDP—not giving more money to the wealthy and hoping it trickles down. Dec 7, 2011 David Madland
A Strong Middle Class Is Key to Getting Our Economy Moving ArticleDecember 6, 2011 A Strong Middle Class Is Key to Getting Our Economy Moving Michael Ettlinger explains why a growing and prosperous middle class was and is the prerequisite to strong and sustainable economic growth. Dec 6, 2011 Michael Ettlinger
Economic Inequality Is Not Sustainable ArticleDecember 6, 2011 Economic Inequality Is Not Sustainable Heather Boushey examines why growing income inequality helped boost the wealth of the few and how reversing course is imperative to our nation’s economic well-being. Dec 6, 2011 Heather Boushey
Middle-Class Societies Invest More in Public Education ArticleNovember 8, 2011 Middle-Class Societies Invest More in Public Education David Madland and Nick Bunker argue that strengthening our middle class will be good for our educational system and for our economy. Nov 8, 2011 David Madland, Nick Bunker
The Middle Class Is Key to a Better-Educated Nation ArticleNovember 8, 2011 The Middle Class Is Key to a Better-Educated Nation Examining test scores in all 50 states, David Madland and Nick Bunker find that a stronger American middle class is associated with higher levels of academic achievement. Nov 8, 2011 David Madland, Nick Bunker