The Bottom Line

Did the pandemic signal the end of the American era?

Anthropologist Wade Davis argues that racism and wealth disparity have eroded Americans’ social solidarity with each other.

Canadian-American anthropologist Wade Davis holds a mirror up to the United States and sees a society in decline.

Davis argues that the US dominated the world in the post-WWII era because Americans came out of the war with a sense of common purpose. A vibrant, educated middle class dominated.

But now America’s social fabric is damaged, according to Wade. The top 1 percent have greater wealth than the bottom 90 percent and the promise of a decent life for a working family is shattered.

Join host Steve Clemons in a conversation that looks at today’s America, inside out.