The gap between rich and poor in the United States yawns wider than in any other first-wave industrialized country. Why? One influential explanation points to the historic failure of American workers to build a class-wide movement for economic redistribution and social welfare protections....

Are jobs enough for economic mobility? -- From the old to the new economic mobility -- The parents: their backgrounds, lives and locations -- The children: their lives and worlds -- Workforce development: systems and networks -- Yesterday's firms and today's families: connects and disconnects...

A third way perspective -- Employment growth: it's strengths and limitations -- Evaluating targeted policies -- Combating racial earnings disparities -- Combating gender earnings disparities -- Refocusing community college programs -- Strengthening partnerships -- Revising government tax...