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 Drawing on a wide range of sources, from historical documents to contemporary interviews, Caldwell examines the effects of these policies on different demographic groups and challenges prevailing narratives about race,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
Conspiracy
The Master Algorithm
The End of Power
The Sleep Revolution
Mathematician's Delight
Money: Master The Game
Wanting
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
Brave Enough
Howard Hughes
The Blank Swan
The Works
The Great Mental Models
Mycelium Running
Steal Like an Artist
Sunset at Blandings
A Walk in the Woods
A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories
The Vision of the Annointed
Not Fade Away
The Fabric of Civilization
Einstein's Dreams
As I Lay Dying
Evolving Ourselves
The Heart of Yoga
Medieval Technology and Social Change
The Upanishads
The Golden Trade of the Moors
Essays and Lectures
Secrets of Closing the Sale
Days of Rage
The Only Game In Town
The God That Failed
As A Man Thinketh
The Origins of Virtue
The Trap
Ponzi's Scheme
On Intelligence
Flow
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
Crossing the Chasm
Superforecasting
Why We Get Fat
Natural Born Heroes
Richard Feynman
One Billion Hungry
Think Like
Birth of a Theorem
The Startup Community Way
This Is Your Brain on Music
The Fifth Season
Good Economics For Hard Times
Public Opinion
Plentiful Energy
The Civil Rights Era
The Clash of the Cultures
Where Mountains Roar
Fallen Dragon
Diocletian and the Roman Recovery
Moonwalking with Einstein
Dirt to Soil
The Minefield Girl
QED
Debt
Paradigms
Powerful
Something Deeply Hidden
The Path to Love
Francis Crick
The Economics of Microfinance
Michael Jordan
The Tiger
No Applause - Just Throw Money
How To Lie With Statistics
Walking
Without Their Permission
Life Ascending
Future Forward
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
The Coddling of the American Mind
Beyond Entrepreneurship
The Underdog Founder
Rise of the Dungeon Master
Bargaining for Advantage
The Rosie Effect
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
The Culture of Narcissism
The Most Powerful Idea In The World
Black Box Thinking
The Business Blockchain
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
How An Economy Grows and Why It Crashes
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
Boom
The Lights in the Tunnel
Stuff and Nonsense
Rubicon
Tomorrow's Table
Intellectuals