Dream Hoarders

Dream Hoarders examines how the American upper middle class - those whose incomes rank in the top 20 percent - has carved out a privileged space that increasingly separates it from the rest of society. In this detailed study, Richard V. Reeves shows that the divide is not solely about income but also manifests in family dynamics, neighborhoods, and lifestyles. Reeves argues that this separation is maintained through subtle forms of opportunity hoarding, such as selective zoning, educational practices, occupational licensing, and the intricate processes surrounding college admissions and internships. By highlighting these trends, the book reveals how the self-reinforcing advantages of the upper middle class diminish social mobility and contribute to a deepening class divide. Reeves contends that while some degree of inequality is inevitable, unchecked opportunity hoarding has profound implications for the competitiveness of the economy and the openness of society. Dream Hoarders challenges readers to consider not only the economic consequences of a class-stratified society but also the broader social and political impacts, and it offers thought-provoking insights into how a more equitable future might be achieved.