Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There

David Brooks

May 8, 2010

Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There, by David Brooks, offers a sharply observed and gleefully provocative look at the recent history of America's culture of affluence. The "Bobo" of the title stands for "bourgeois bohemian," a term coined by Brooks to describe the recent ascendance of a new upper class. These “bourgeois bohemians" have achieved tremendous financial rewards, but their attitudes remain shaped by their roots in bohemian counterculture.The book looks at the Bobo rise to prominence in a number of areas: business, fashion, media, politics, and education. Brooks' examination is backed up with an analysis of both his own experiences and a wealth of empirical data. He concludes that the rise of the Bobos to affluence has resulted in a flattening of American class structure.Ultimately, the book is an optimistic look at the future of America. Brooks argues that the Bobos are creating a culture of conformity and consumption even as they remain rooted in their bohemian past. Yet he also suggests that this culture of consumption and conformity will lead to a more benevolent and generous kind of capitalism. This new capitalism, he believes, will bring greater economic opportunity and prosperity to all.Brooks' arguments are conveyed in a witty, often humorous style that is sure to spark debate. Bobos in Paradise is a must-read for anyone interested in the changing American landscape of class, commerce, and culture.