The article discusses the growing influence of education as a marker of social distinction in the United States and its significant impact on various aspects of life, including economic opportunities, marriage, and even life expectancy. The author, Yascha Mounk, argues that educational status has now become a defining factor in American society, surpassing traditional markers such as race and birthright. Historically, education and democracy have been closely linked, with educated populations seen as prerequisites for political stability. However, the degree to which formal education is now a determinant of societal influence is relatively recent. In the past, individuals without college degrees could still reach the highest levels of politics and society, but today, an undergraduate degree, preferably from a prestigious institution, has become a necessary passport to success. Mounk introduces the concept of the "college bonus," which refers to the wage advantage enjoyed by those with higher degrees. Over the decades, this wage gap has significantly widened, with college graduates now earning approximately 70% more than those without a degree. Furthermore, educational attainment has started to predict personal outcomes, with those without a degree more likely to experience mental distress, physical pain, loneliness, and difficulty socializing.
The educational divide extends to personal relationships, with college-educated Americans experiencing more stable marriages compared to their non-college-educated peers. Educational status has also become a significant predictor of lifetime earnings. The article highlights recent research by economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton, which demonstrates that educational status has a profound impact on life expectancy. Americans without a bachelor's degree, particularly those suffering from "deaths of despair" related to issues like opioids, alcoholism, and gun suicide, have significantly lower life expectancies. This educational divide in life expectancy is so stark that it separates the two groups as if they were living in different countries. Moreover, Case and Deaton's findings suggest that educational status has surpassed race as a determinant of life span in the United States. While racial disparities persist, the difference in life expectancy between those with and without a college degree is now more pronounced.