America and the Art of the Possible: Restoring National Vitality in an Age of Decay

Between 1920 and 1950, America saw an unprecedented expansion of wealth and power underwritten by technological innovation, cultural confidence, and victory in war. American elites won World War II, rebuilt the world order with America at its head, inaugurated the jet age, and put a man on the moon. The boom led to a larger, richer middle class that confirmed America’s best ideals.

By the early 1970s, that ended. American elites have captured a disproportionate share of the social and econo...