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In this episode, we unpack the loaded history and modern reality of the phrase "permanent underclass," tracing its origins from 1980s sociology to its expanded meaning in 2026. We examine how structural forces—not personal failings—keep millions economically trapped, even when they hold jobs or college degrees.
By Ian KingIn this episode, we unpack the loaded history and modern reality of the phrase "permanent underclass," tracing its origins from 1980s sociology to its expanded meaning in 2026. We examine how structural forces—not personal failings—keep millions economically trapped, even when they hold jobs or college degrees.