The Affluent Society - Summary Notes

Introduction

• John Kenneth Galbraith's "The Affluent Society" (1958):
  • Criticized post-WWII consumer economy and political culture.
  • Noted economic inequality due to luxury consumption.
  • Warned against unsustainable and immoral economic practices dedicated to increasing production and consumption.
• Post-WWII Economic Growth:
  • Massive growth reshaped American culture.
  • Standards of living climbed, yet inequality persisted.
  • Contradictions: prosperity vs. poverty, innovation vs. destruction, opportunity vs. discrimination.

The Rise of the Suburbs

• New Deal Programs:
  • Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) & Federal Housing Administration (FHA) increased home ownership.
  • Government spending post-WWII fueled economic boom.
  • G.I. Bill provided low-interest home loans.
• Suburbanization Impact:
  • Rise in home ownership and suburban living.
  • Builders like William Levitt created affordable housing.
  • Suburbs exacerbated racial and class inequalities.
  • Practices like redlining denied minorities home loans.

Race and Education

• School Segregation and "Brown v. Board of Education" (1954):
  • Segregated schooling ruled unconstitutional.
  • NAACP's legal battles aimed to dismantle Jim Crow laws.
  • Struggle for desegregation highlighted by cases like "Briggs v. Elliott".
  • Progress slow and met with resistance; federal enforcement improved post-1964.

Civil Rights in an Affluent Society

• Civil Rights Movement - Key Events:
  • Sarah Keys and public transportation segregation:
    • "Sarah Keys v. Carolina Coach Company" (1955) challenged bus segregation.
  • Emmett Till's murder in 1955 highlighted racial violence.
  • Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) catalyzed civil rights activism.
  • Formation of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
  • 1957 Civil Rights Act created Civil Rights Commission.
  • Widespread resistance and violence against civil rights efforts.

Gender and Culture in the Affluent Society

• Consumer Culture & Gender Roles:
  • Television and media reshaped cultural experiences.
  • Promotion of traditional gender roles through shows like "Father Knows Best".
  • Postwar baby boom influenced family dynamics.
  • Youth culture and rebellion emerged with rock n roll.
  • Beat Generation challenged cultural norms.
  • Gay rights movement began to organize.

Politics and Ideology in the Affluent Society

• Economic Prosperity & Political Shifts:
  • Renewed belief in capitalism and individualism.
  • Rise of libertarianism and organizations like the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE).
  • Political split in Republican Party between moderates and conservatives.
  • Eisenhower's presidency balanced conservative and liberal policies.
  • Continued conservative movement post-Eisenhower.

Conclusion

• Contradictions of the Affluent Society:
  • Promise of prosperity alongside persistent inequality.
  • Society stood on the brink of cultural and social changes.

These notes summarize the key themes and events from the chapter on "The Affluent Society" in "The American Yawp". The emphasis is on economic, cultural, and political changes in postwar America, as well as ongoing struggles for civil rights and social equality.