Harrington argued that affluent Americans were largely oblivious to the widespread poverty that existed within the United States. He described a hidden America, where millions of people lived in extreme poverty and were largely ignored by the media and policymakers.
Here are some of Harrington's key arguments about affluent Americans:
* Complacency and ignorance: Affluent Americans were insulated from the realities of poverty, and they often held a naive view of the country's social and economic structure. They believed that the American Dream was readily accessible to all, and they dismissed the possibility of widespread poverty.
* Lack of empathy and understanding: Affluent Americans often lacked empathy for the poor and did not understand the systemic barriers they faced. They tended to blame poverty on individual failings rather than on social and economic factors.
* Political apathy: Affluent Americans were less likely to engage in political activism and to advocate for policies that addressed poverty. They often felt that poverty was not their problem and that government intervention was unnecessary.
Harrington's book was a powerful indictment of American society and its failure to address poverty. It helped to raise awareness about the issue and played a significant role in shaping the War on Poverty under President Lyndon B. Johnson.