In The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee attempts to demonstrate that the demise of the

In The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee attempts to demonstrate that the demise of the Rawlsian comprehensive welfare state that enabled the American Dream corresponded with the success of the civil rights movement, and landmark legislation that would have required white people to share resources with Black and brown people. Mere correspondence in time, though, is not sufficient to establish a causal relationship between the two events. She brings a lot of empirical evidence, however, to try to show that a causal inference would be a strong one.
In a 1200-1500 word paper, discuss whether or not you feel she made her case for a causal relationship. You need to first summarize her thesis (250-300 words), then bring out what you feel is the most convincing or unconvincing data that she offers (three or four pieces of data would be a good start here, done in 300-400 words, including citations). In determining whether or not she’s made her case, you need to discuss other, competing hypotheses for the collapse of the Rawlsian welfare state, and whether or not these are more or less persuasive hypotheses than McGhee’s. If you think that there can be many causes at once, that is fine too, but provide reasons/evidence why you think each cause is playing a role (approximately 300-400 words).
Finally, in conclusion, state what she thinks the solution to our racial division and wealth inequality is, and how it can benefit all of us. Do you think this solution is plausible? Is likely to succeed? Why or why not? (300-400 words).