We bring together scholars across disciplines to discuss the causes and consequences of inequality and strategies to promote economic mobility. Listen and discover novel insights and strategies to address today’s most pressing issues in inequality.
Can meritocracy be separated from inequality? Political theorist Jahel Queralt offers a vision of meritocracy that structures fair opportunities instead of defending unequal outcomes. She joins Steven Durlauf to discuss her version of a just meritocracy.
Meritocracy promises rewards based on talent and effort rather than privilege. Critics argue that merit is often shaped by inherited advantages. Philosopher Thomas Mulligan argues for a just conception of meritocracy and explains how it might be possible.
Philip Kitcher reflects on the values that shape public policy, arguing that economic efficiency has increasingly displaced ethical concerns. He discusses inequality, education, and why a healthier society requires a renewed commitment to the common good.
Why are workers doing more than ever in an age of specialization? Stanford Sociologist Michelle Jackson examines how jobs accumulated new responsibilities over time and reflects on what bolder approaches to education, family, and opportunity could mean for inequality.
What are the implications of declining unionization in United States? Tom VanHeuvelen examines historical drivers of deunionization and recent "right-to-work" laws. As he reflects on the benefits of unions, he also considers the future of American labor and economy.
How do class, gender, and race intersect to shape inequality? In this episode, Leslie McCall examines labor market change and public attitudes, challenging common assumptions about meritocracy, mobility, and who benefits in today’s economy.
How do legal systems extort the poor? Joe Soss examines how social welfare programs and incarceration have contributed to the financial crises of impoverished Americans. He reflects on the mobility barriers posed by the legal system's increased scrutiny of the poor.
Mario Small examines how networks shape opportunity in ways we often overlook, from chance encounters to institutional ties. He discusses why acquaintances can matter more than close friends and how organizations quietly structure access to jobs, resources, and support.
Kim Bowes explores the economic lives of ordinary Romans, drawing on archaeological evidence to rethink consumption, credit, and work. She reflects on the challenges of interpreting ancient data and what it can or cannot reveal about inequality and everyday life.
For our 50th episode, Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz reflects on six decades studying inequality. The Columbia economist, author, and former Clinton White House advisor discusses the ideas that shaped his career and how new technologies like AI may influence inequality.
