The American Political Science Association released a report this month, warning that democracy in the United States faces profound threats because "disparities of income, wealth and access to opportunity are growing more sharply in the United States than in many other nations, and gaps between races and ethnic groups persist." The report, American Democracy in an Age of Rising Inequality, was brought together after nearly two years of research by the Association's Task Force on Inequality and American Democracy. The nonpartisan Task Force included scholars from around the country. Among the Task Force's findings based on analysis of the U.S. economy, voting and other forms of political participation, and government policy making:

• The United States has, in effect, 2 classes of citizenship: Wealthier Americans are far more active across the board -- from voting to contacting government officials and joining pressure groups in Washington -- than are those with lower incomes.
• Both major political parties target many of their resources on recruiting those who are already the most privileged and involved.
• The Internet, which offers opportunities for virtual political participation and communication among citizens, may actually be reinforcing existing inequalities because it is more accessible to affluent, non-Hispanic whites, and the highly educated.

Download the full report.