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.
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.
When stereotypes substitute for evidence, the consequences can be severe. Sociologist René Flores breaks down how Americans form suspicions of "social illegality," why crime myths dominate immigration attitudes, and what it means for people living under that suspicion.
Are today's immigrants different from those who arrived a century ago? Stanford's Ran Abramitzky and Yale's Leah Boustan challenge immigration myths, discussing upward mobility, cultural assimilation, naming patterns, and refugee success with host Steven Durlauf.
Is capitalism natural or historical? Harvard historian Sven Beckert discusses his book Capitalism: A Global History, exploring slavery's role in economic development, the great divergence, China's unprecedented growth, and ecology with host Steven Durlauf.
What is 'The Economy'? Sciences Po historian Jonathan Levy discusses his newest book, The Real Economy, exploring capital as process, what Keynes learned from Freud, and why economists need historians with host Steven Durlauf.
How has equality been used to justify hierarchy? Dive into a panel discussion from our archives where Dartmouth historian Darren McMahon joins economist Steven Durlauf, sociologist Jenny Trinitapoli, and historian Jonathan Levy to explore equality's elusive history.
Women's roles have transformed over the past century – but how have these changes reshaped economies? Columbia University economist Lena Edlund discusses the history of marriage, gender gaps in wealth and voting, and what work remains with host Steven Durlauf.
Ambitious schools aim to transform how inequality is tackled in education. Host Geoff Wodtke is joined by Sociology Professor Stephen Raudenbush to explore early childhood interventions, organizational change, and the cultural shifts needed to close achievement gaps.
What if we've been wrong about schools? This week, Doug Downey discusses how schools may actually reduce rather than amplify achievement gaps and why our focus should be on equalizing non-school environments to decrease inequalities in our schools.
Gender inequality in work and education remains persistent despite years of progress. Nicole Fortin joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss pay gaps, occupational segregation, and how deunionization and AI are reshaping labor markets and women’s economic opportunity.
