"There is a puzzling disconnect between rising income inequality and public opinion in the United States. One might think-and many politicians argue-- that as inequality increases the public on the losing side of the inequality divide would demand more redistributive action from government. But many Americans have not demanded these policies. Indeed, Americans have trouble identifying their own positions in the changing economic hierarchy; the public's appetite for economic redistribution has remained relatively unchanged; and the American social safety net has not become more generous. The authors argue that this cannot be explained solely by voter ignorance or ideological commitments. Instead they contend that American are increasingly insulated from the reality of inequality by increasing geographical segregation from the rich. And, as their economic anxiety increases, in an effort to feel better about themselves, they tend to compare themselves not to the rich but to those who are lower down on the socio-economic scale"-- Provided by publisher.
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