Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism is a non-fiction book written by Anne Case, an economist and Princeton University professor, which examines the rising mortality rates among working-class Americans and explores how economic and social changes have contributed to this trend. The book is based on extensive research and data analysis, and it provides a detailed and compelling account of the factors that have led to the increase in deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and alcoholism among working-class Americans.
The book argues that the increasing number of deaths of despair among working-class Americans are not just the result of individuals' personal problems, but are also symptoms of deeper economic and social issues that are affecting the working class. Case suggests that the decline of secure, well-paying jobs, and the erosion of social protections have led to a feeling of hopelessness and despair among working-class Americans.
The book provides a detailed examination of the economic, social and political changes that have contributed to the rise in deaths of despair among working-class Americans. It highlights the impact of the declining of the labor share of the income, decreasing relative wages of low-skilled workers, the erosion of social protections and the rising income inequality. It shows how these changes have led to the erosion of the American Dream for many working-class Americans and how these economic and social changes have contributed to the increase in deaths of despair.
The book also provides a comprehensive look at the economic, social, and political factors that have led to the increase in deaths of despair, and it offers possible solutions to the crisis. It makes a case for the need to invest in education, to provide affordable healthcare, and to create jobs that offer decent wages and benefits to all workers. It also stresses the need for government policies that support the working-class, such as minimum wage hikes, paid family leave and universal healthcare, that can improve the lives of working Americans and help to reduce deaths of despair.
The book concludes by advocating for a fundamental change in the way that capitalism operates in the United States, and for the need for a more equitable and humane society. It's a book that will be of great interest to scholars, policymakers, and anyone who wants to understand the current state of the economy and the future of capitalism.