---
"title": "A Society of Haves and Have-Nots?"
"description": "That's the share of the public who say that American society is divided into two groups, the \"haves\" and the \"have-nots.\" An equal number (48%) say society is not divided."
"date": "2007-10-10"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2007/10/10/a-society-of-haves-and-have-nots/"
---

# A Society of Haves and Have-Nots?

Over the past two decades, a growing share of the public has come to the view that American society is divided into two groups, the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Today, Americans are split evenly on the two-class question with as many saying the country is divided along economic lines as say this is not the case ((48% each). In sharp contrast, in 1988 71% rejected this notion, while just 26% saw a divided nation. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/593/haves-have-nots)