Rugged Individualism and the Misunderstanding of American Inequality

Rugged Individualism offers an important analysis of working-class Americans who have lost ground economically and struggle to make sense of their plight using the available cultural resources. This book is creative, insightful, and original. -- Peter Callero, Professor of Sociology, Western Oregon University
Why is there so much poverty in the United States, a country with so much wealth? In a meticulously argued and well-written book, Eppard, Rank, and Bullock pursue this question by taking readers on a deep dive into the American culture of individualism. The authors' multifaceted investigation of this individualistic ethos and the powerful role it plays in limiting policy options is a tremendous accomplishment. Rugged Individualism is a must-read book, a timely and indispensible contribution to our understanding of poverty, inequality, and the workings of American politics. -- Edward Royce, professor emeritus of sociology at Rollins College, author of The Origins of Southern Sharecropping, Classical Social Theory and Modern Society and Poverty and Power
Drawing on social scientific research, expert opinion, and everyday experience, Eppard, Rank, and Bullock reveal how that mystique of individualism has been used to justify ever-escalating levels of economic inequality in the contemporary United States.  Rigorously argued and accessibly written, Rugged Individualism is a model of engaged public scholarship and collaborative social inquiry that invites us to take the critical first steps toward a more just and equitable future. -- Alice O'Connor, Professor of History and Directorof the Blum Center for Global Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development