The Middle-Class Promise Now Depends on Security, Mobility, and Access
The panelists argue that a middle-class life depends on more than income: people need security and a credible path from work to a better future. Elizabeth Wilkins says that path has weakened as workers lose bargaining power and the gains of economic growth become less widely shared; the answer, she argues, is to adapt policies that support workers, social insurance and access to essentials. The discussion also points to local decisions on housing, education and child care as part of making that promise attainable.
The Aspen Institute·Oct 22, 2026·12 min read