Question

Class warfare against the poor in the US is nothing new -- it was formally launched in the early 1970s and has been carried out with great efficiency over the past 40 years. For about 30 years, from 1933 to the late 1960s, the United States followed much the same path as postwar Western Europe, moving toward a social democracy. The Supreme Court opened the floodgates for corporate money into politics when Lewis Powell, a former corporate lawyer, was appointed to the court in 1972.

Answer 1

The perception of class warfare in the United States is rooted in the historical widening of economic disparity since the Cold War. Socioeconomic policies, such as Reaganomics and court decisions like Citizen's United, have contributed to a growing wealth gap and the political influence of the wealthy, further fueling a sense of class divide.

Step-by-step explanation:

Class Warfare and Economic Disparity in the United States

Discussing the state of economic disparity and perceived class warfare in the United States requires an understanding of its historical context and the societal shifts that have occurred, particularly from the early 20th century to the present. The landscape of the United States underwent dramatic changes from the early Cold War period through to the implementation of Reaganomics in the 1980s, and into the 21st century. During the mid-20th century, labeled "The Affluent Society," a significant portion of America experienced an increase in material wealth. However, it was also a period that saw the rise of substantial economic inequality and racial tensions. Despite growing wealth, the gap between the rich and the poor has widened, with CEO pay rising exponentially in comparison to the wages of average workers.

From policies promoting social democracy in the mid-20th century to the Supreme Court decisions affecting campaign finance, these shifts have influenced perceptions of class warfare. Economies transitioning away from manufacturing and the embrace of supply-side economics have left many average Americans feeling a disconnect from the benefits of economic growth. The Great Recession exacerbated these issues, further cementing the divide.

The political influence of the super-rich and corporations increased when the 2012 Supreme Court decision in Citizen's United versus the Federal Election Commission essentially ruled political spending by corporations as a form of protected free speech, thus highlighting concerns over the oligarchic influences in American politics. This, coupled with the increasing concentration of wealth among the top percentiles of society, has added to the narrative of an ongoing class warfare against the poor and middle class in the United States.