The Great Society initiatives, while ambitious, had a limited impact on improving the economic conditions of the American people. The significant economic growth during that period played a far greater role in elevating prosperity and opportunity for many Americans.

"But the Great Society did not do nearly as much to improve the economic standing of people as did the extraordinary growth of the economy. When this stopped-in the 1970s-the flaws in LBJ's programs seemed glaring." These overhyped expectations fostered unrealistic views of government’s capabilities, which later posed challenges for liberal policies in the United States.