This collection examines the systemic factors contributing to the decline of societal well-being in the United States during the late 20th century. Edited by A. David Hill and a team of contributors, the text synthesizes sociological data and political analysis to argue that environmental degradation, economic inequality, and institutional power structures create a pervasive climate of fear and instability for the average citizen.

Experts categorize this work as a representative example of 1970s social critique, noting its focus on the intersection of environmental and economic crises. Readers frequently observe that the text serves as a historical snapshot of the anxieties prevalent in American society during that specific decade.