The New Economic Populism: How States Respond to Economic Inequality

There is a growing consensus among scholars that one of the biggest drivers of income inequality in the United States is government activity (or inactivity). While many Americans look to the federal government to take action to combat inequality, William Franko and Christopher Witko assert that it is the states that are best positioned and most likely to actually do something about it. 'The New Economic Populism' argues that over time, more egalitarian policies at the state level will spread across to other states and, eventually, to the federal level

Introduction -- Economic inequality, federalism and the new economic populism -- Growing inequality and public awareness of inequality in the States -- Awareness of inequality and government liberalism -- Taxing the rich : the initiative, attitudes toward inequality, and Washington's proposition 1098 -- State responses to federal inaction and growing inequality : the case of the minimum wage -- Building on success : the case of the earned income tax credit -- The new economic populism and the future of inequality in the U.S -- Appendix A: Measurement and methodology -- Appendix B: Data and results -- Notes -- References -- Index

There is a growing consensus among scholars that one of the biggest drivers of income inequality in the United States is government activity (or inactivity). While many Americans look to the federal government to take action to combat inequality, William Franko and Christopher Witko assert that it is the states that are best positioned and most likely to actually do something about it. 'The New Economic Populism' argues that over time, more egalitarian policies at the state level will spread across to other states and, eventually, to the federal level.