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.