Economic Anxiety and the American Dream

Amid record corporate profits and an uneven economic recovery, public opinion nonetheless suggests increasing economic anxiety among middle-class Americans. A recent survey conducted by Change to Win and Lake Research Partners reveals growing pessimism among American workers, disengagement from the public policy conversation, despair over the economic prospects of the next generation, and a virtually universal demand for government action.

On July 13, Brookings hosted a discussion to address the Lake Research Partners American Dream research, a new paper on economic security by Brookings research fellow Elisabeth Jacobs, and the implications of public attitudes toward government’s ability to tackle critical issues. Panelists included Brookings senior fellows E.J. Dionne Jr. and William Galston; Elisabeth Jacobs; Change to Win executive director Greg Tarpinian; and Third Way vice president for policy Jim Kessler. Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, opened the discussion with a presentation of the American Dream research.