Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism

In this book, Anne Case and Angus Deaton explore the alarming rise in 'deaths of despair'—including suicides, drug overdoses, and alcoholism—among middle-aged white Americans.

They argue that these deaths are linked to economic inequality, the weakening position of labor, the growing power of corporations, and a healthcare system that redistributes working-class wages to the wealthy.

The authors provide a comprehensive historical, social, and economic analysis, highlighting the need for reforms to ensure that capitalism serves the broader population rather than just the elite.