The Wolf at the Door

"It is now beyond debate that rising inequality is not only leaving millions of Americans living on a sharp edge but also is threatening our democracy. For activists and scholars alike who are struggling to create a more equitable society, this is an essential read." - David Gergen

"A hard and pragmatic look at how America can ameliorate its inequality. Deep, informed, and reeks of common sense. This book should be read by every presidential candidate and every lawmaker." - Norman Ornstein, coauthor of One Nation After Trump

"Graetz and Shapiro wrestle with a fundamental question of our day: How do we address a system that makes too many Americans anxious that economic security is slipping out of reach? Their cogent call for sensible and achievable policies should be read by progressives and conservatives alike." - Jacob J. Lew, former Secretary of the Treasury

We are in an age of crisis. That much we can agree on. But a crisis of what, exactly? And how do we get out of it?

In a follow-up to their influential and much-debated Death by a Thousand Cuts, Michael Graetz and Ian Shapiro focus on what really worries people: not what the rich are making or the government is taking from them, but their own insecurity. Americans are worried about losing their jobs, their status, and the safety of their communities. They fear the wolf at the door.

The solution is not protectionism or class warfare but better jobs, higher wages, greater protection for families suffering from unemployment, better health insurance, and higher quality childcare. And it turns out those goals are more achievable than you might think. The Wolf at the Door is one of those rare books that doesn't just diagnose our problems, it shows us how to address them.