Inequality in America

Watch Inequality in America

  • 2007
  • 1 Season

The show "Inequality in America" from PBS is an eye-opening documentary that explores the issue of inequality and its impact on American society. Through a combination of interviews with experts and real-life stories of people affected by inequality, the show offers a comprehensive look at the problem and proposes possible solutions.

The opening of the show sets the tone for the rest of the documentary, with footage of protests and demonstrations highlighting the growing anger and frustration of many Americans who feel left behind by the country's economic and political systems. From there, the show delves into the root causes of inequality, including the role of race, class, gender, and geography.

One of the key focuses of the show is the growing wealth gap in the United States. Through interviews with economists and researchers, the show explains how wealth inequality has risen sharply over the past few decades, with a small percentage of the population controlling an increasingly large share of the country's wealth. This has led to a decline in social mobility, with many people finding it difficult to move up the economic ladder.

The show also highlights the impact of inequality on different groups of people. For example, there is a section about the role of education in perpetuating inequality, with interviews with teachers and students from low-income neighborhoods. The show makes the case that students in these areas are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to access to quality education, which can lead to a lifelong cycle of poverty.

Another area where inequality is highlighted is healthcare. The show points out that the United States is the only developed country without universal healthcare, and that the cost of healthcare is a major factor in causing financial strain for many Americans. The show features stories of people who have been bankrupted by medical bills, and points out that this is a problem that affects people across the income spectrum.

Throughout the show, there are also discussions about the political roots of inequality, including the impact of money in politics and the role of the government in shaping economic policy. The show argues that many of the policies enacted by the government over the past few decades have favored the wealthy at the expense of everyone else, and that this has contributed to the current state of inequality.

Despite the bleak picture the show paints, there are also examples of people and communities fighting back against inequality. The show features stories of grassroots organizations working to create change, as well as interviews with people who have found ways to overcome the obstacles posed by inequality. These moments provide a glimmer of hope and suggest that change is possible, even in the face of such daunting challenges.

Overall, "Inequality in America" is a thought-provoking and impactful documentary that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues facing the country today. By exploring the causes and consequences of inequality, as well as possible solutions, the show offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about how to create a more just and equitable society.

Inequality in America is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on March 23, 2007.

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Seasons
More Americans Live in Economically Segregated Neighborhoods Than 30 Years Ago
8. More Americans Live in Economically Segregated Neighborhoods Than 30 Years Ago
July 31, 2008
Racial segregation in U.S. neighborhoods is on the decline, but income level is increasingly an indicator of where people live. Gwen Ifill talks to Pew Research Center's Paul Taylor about the connections between income inequality and neighborhood segregation.
Author Charles Murray: Elites Should Teach Working Class How to Live
7. Author Charles Murray: Elites Should Teach Working Class How to Live
March 19, 2008
Conservative author Charles Murray claims the super-educated upper class could teach lower classes better ways to live. Paul Solman speaks with Murray about his book, "Coming Apart," which examines America's "class society."
Does U.S. Economic Inequality Have a Good Side?
6. Does U.S. Economic Inequality Have a Good Side?
October 25, 2007
Libertarian law professor Richard Epstein argues that wealth inequality acts as a driving force for innovation. Paul Solman talks with him about his theories.
Inequality Hurts: The Unhealthy Side Effects of Economic Disparity
5. Inequality Hurts: The Unhealthy Side Effects of Economic Disparity
September 27, 2007
Paul Solman investigates the effect that income inequality can have the health of individuals and society.
Do Social Safety Net Programs Shrink Gap in U.S. Economic Inequality?
4. Do Social Safety Net Programs Shrink Gap in U.S. Economic Inequality?
September 20, 2007
A leading economist questions data on economic inequality in the United States, saying it is flawed because it does not include the value of Social Security and health insurance.
Americans Facing More Inequality, More Debt and Now More Trouble?
3. Americans Facing More Inequality, More Debt and Now More Trouble?
August 16, 2007
Did America's record-high level of economic inequality in 2007 help cause the financial crisis of 2008? With signs that economic inequality is growing, could there be another financial crisis in the near future? Paul Solman continues his series of reports on U.S. economic inequality.
Land of the Free, Home of the Poor
2. Land of the Free, Home of the Poor
August 15, 2007
The top 20 percent of Americans now hold 84 percent of U.S. wealth, with more people falling out of the middle class. Paul Solman reports on economic inequality.
Many Americans Feel Stuck in a Rut As Inequality Grows
1. Many Americans Feel Stuck in a Rut As Inequality Grows
March 23, 2007
Even as the economy improves, many workers feel the widening income inequality gap in the U.S. Paul Solman reports.
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Where to Watch Inequality in America
Inequality in America is available for streaming on the PBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Inequality in America on demand at Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    March 23, 2007