Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010 by Charles Murray

Charles Murray's book Coming Apart examines the state of White America between 1960 and 2010. By looking at the differences between the "working class" and the "new upper class," Murray reveals a growing divide among the people of the United States. Through his analysis, Murray argues that the divide between the two classes has a major impact on American society, and that the nation has seen a decline in the values upon which it was built in the last fifty years.

In Coming Apart, Murray examines the fault lines and boundaries of American society to understand why the country has seen a decrease in traditional values, as well as increasing economic and cultural separation. He begins by looking at the demographic changes from the 1950s through to the present day. From 1960 to present, the population of White Americans has increased by 53 percent, while the Black population has remained stable. However, the economic gap between Whites and Blacks has widened. White households have seen an increase in their median incomes, while the incomes of Black households have declined.

As Murray notes, this growing divide between the wealthy and the working class has had a direct impact on the type of values held by the people of the United States. He argues that the wealthiest Americans—those who occupy the "new upper class"—are increasingly isolated from the rest of the population. They are isolated both economically and socially, and this has led to a decrease in values such as industriousness, marriage, honesty, and religiosity. The working class, on the other hand, are struggling to maintain their values, but are unable to do so due to economic hardship and isolation.

Murray's main argument is that the “new upper class” has become increasingly disconnected from the working-class of White America, and that this has had a detrimental effect on the nation. The “new upper class” is becoming increasingly “metropolitan,” meaning that they are less and less concerned with their local community and its values. Meanwhile, much of the working-class has been left behind, struggling to cope with the financial strain and social isolation experienced as a result of the decreasing job opportunities and increased competition. As a result, values such as industriousness and marriage are rapidly fading away.

Murray concludes that the increasing divide between the working-class and the "new upper class" has had a major effect on the United States, resulting in a decline in traditional values. To bridge the gap between these two segments of society, Murray proposes a series of initiatives including investments in education and training, increasing access to childcare through tax credits, and creating economic and social infrastructure for the working-class. However, Murray also notes that there is still more work to be done. The divide between the two classes must be steadily reduced if the country is to overcome the current decline in values and achieve a new level of prosperity and social cohesion.

The urgency of Murray's call to action has become increasingly apparent in recent years. As the divide between the working-class and the “new upper class” continues to widen, so too does the decline in values. It is clear that intervention is needed to reverse the current trend, and Murray's findings and proposed solutions provide a valuable starting point. Coming Apart is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding how the decline in values has affected American society, and provides a detailed examination of how it can be successfully addressed.