The Age of Entitlement

America Since the Sixties

Christopher Caldwell

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Age of Entitlement" by Christopher Caldwell is a thought-provoking exploration of America's transformation from a society focused on individual rights to one driven by group entitlements. Caldwell investigates the roots of this shift, tracing its origins to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent movements that sought to rectify historical injustices. He argues that while these efforts were initially necessary and just, they eventually led to unintended consequences, fostering a culture of perpetual grievance and heightening divisions within society.

Through meticulous research, Caldwell identifies key turning points in American politics, economics, and culture that have perpetuated the era of entitlement. He delves into topics such as affirmative action, the expansion of welfare programs, and the evolution of identity politics, highlighting their impact on social, political, and economic dynamics. Drawing on a wide range of sources, from historical documents to contemporary interviews, Caldwell examines the effects of these policies on different demographic groups and challenges prevailing narratives about race, ethnicity, and social justice.

In "The Age of Entitlement," Caldwell engagingly argues that the proliferation of entitlements undermines individual responsibility and fosters a victimhood mentality. He contends that the erosion of personal accountability has had a profound impact on various aspects of American society, including educational outcomes, political discourse, and economic mobility. Caldwell ultimately contends that the time has come for society to reexamine the balance between individual rights and group privileges in order to restore a sense of fairness and harmony.

With its incisive analysis and well-reasoned arguments, "The Age of Entitlement" offers an illuminating perspective on the complex issues surrounding entitlements in America. Caldwell prompts readers to critically examine the consequences of policies aimed at rectifying historical injustices, ultimately encouraging a thoughtful reassessment of how society can work towards greater equality while preserving individual liberty.

Explore More Books

See All
Little Brother
Dream Yoga
The Language Instinct
Breath
The Confessions
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone
Hatching Twitter
The German Generals Talk
Catch-22
Your Symphony of Selves
Quality of Earnings
Stuff and Nonsense
The Fish That Ate The Whale
Paradigms
Very Good, Jeeves
Going Infinite
Self Reliance
Race Against The Machine
Acts of Love
Mountains Beyond Mountains
Born to Run
Without Their Permission
Childhood and Society
Empire of the Summer Moon
Jesse Livermore - Boy Plunger
The Big Ship and Little Digger
Writing Down The Bones
Discourses on Livy
Biography of the Dollar
What You Do Is Who You Are
Irresistible
The Experience Machine
99% True
The New New Thing
The Butterfly Defect
In Search of Lost Time
The Greatness Mindset
V for Vendetta
An Unquiet Mind
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Goethe’s Poems and Aphorisms
The Gray Lady Winked
Winning
An American Marriage
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Essays and Lectures
The Myth of the Rational Voter
The Master Algorithm
The Cultural Cold War
Super Maker
Start With Why
Trick Mirror
The Marked Children
Becoming Steve Jobs
DeMark Indicators
A Walk in the Woods
Dark Towers
Bravey
Slaughterhouse-Five
The Mind Doesn't Work That Way
The Man Who Knew Infinity
The Journey of Crazy Horse
On Intelligence
An Everyone Culture
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
The Terminal List
Three Scientists and Their Gods
Eat a Peach
The Intelligent Investor
Dealers of Lightning
Food of the Gods
Monsoon
The Wright Brothers
The Discovery of France
Meditation Station
The Harmless People
Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism
Mastering The Market Cycle
Welcome to Your Brain
The Subtle Knife
Conspiracy of Fools
Poor Economics
Hidden Repression
Rework
Black Flags
A Brief History of Time
Teddy and Booker T.
The Infinite Game
When
Physics from Finance
Elon Musk
Olives
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Political Tribes
Turn the Ship Around!
Fiasco
The Coaching Habit
Taxes Have Consequences
The Blank Slate