Notes on The Affluent Society

Economic Growth and Social Change

  • Post-War Economic Boom (1950s-1960s)
    • GNP increased from $200 billion to $500 billion.
    • Unemployment remained under 5%, inflation stayed under 3%.
    • National birth rate reversed decline, boosting consumer demand.
    • Growth concentrated in suburbs, driven by veterans.
    • Car ownership doubled, leading to increased consumption.

Westward Expansion and Cultural Shifts

  • Emergence of the American West
    • The 1960s saw the West become an economic leader.
    • Growth in the auto industry spurred oil industry in Dallas, Houston, Denver.
    • New Sun Belt populations valued limited government and economic opportunity.
    • Influence of Ayn Rand and the Foundation for Economic Education on libertarian politics.

Advancements in Science and Technology

  • Technological Innovations
    • Medical advances: antibacterial drugs, antiseptics, polio vaccinations.
    • Electronics miniaturization led to TVs and personal radios.
    • The first computers emerged from military projects, expanding into commercial use.
    • The U.S. Space Program accelerated post-Sputnik, culminating in the Apollo moon landing.

Consumer Culture and Life in the Suburbs

  • Consumerism's Rise
    • Consumer credit usage rose by 800% from 1946 to 1960.
    • National marketing of goods led to shared consumer fads among children.
    • Suburban living became widespread (1/3 of Americans) with cheaper housing options.
    • Growth in consumer goods like RVs, appliances, leading to a life centered around consumption.

Role of Television in American Life

  • Television's Dominance
    • Rapid increase in TV ownership from 17,000 to 40 million sets.
    • Emergence of major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS) from radio roots to provide news and entertainment.
    • Television reflected and shaped middle-class suburban life through popular shows.
    • Representation issues exacerbated racial tensions and highlighted white privilege.

Youth and Cultural Rebellion

  • Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Culture
    • Emergence of a culture of rebellion among teens.
    • Icons like James Dean and musicians like Elvis Presley represented youth's restlessness.
    • Counterculture movements, including Beats, rejected capitalism and traditional norms.

Social Issues and Civil Rights Movement

  • Persistent Poverty

    • Despite economic growth, 20% of Americans remained poor.
    • Groups facing systematic racial discrimination continued in poverty.
    • White flight to suburbs led to the deterioration of inner-city conditions.

  • Civil Rights Struggle

    • Landmark Supreme Court case (Brown v. Board of Education) declared school segregation unconstitutional.
    • Grassroot movements against segregation: Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership in nonviolent protests.
    • Media coverage of protests highlighted racial injustices and garnered support for civil rights.

Eisenhower's Presidency and Cold War Policies

  • Moderate Politics

    • Eisenhower promoted business and managed the federal budget effectively, exiting with a surplus.
    • His foreign policy was characterized by anti-communism and support for middle class values.

  • Cold War Context

    • Eisenhower's approach included brinkmanship; nuclear threats without direct conflict.
    • Involvement in Vietnam, support of anti-communist regimes in various countries (e.g., Iran).
    • U.S.-Soviet relations strained by incidents like U-2 spy plane shot down.
    • Eisenhower warned against the military-industrial complex's influence in his farewell address.