The Inequality Podcast

Neighborhoods and schools impact inequality and mobility through factors like socioeconomic status, segregation, and resources. The episode's guests discuss how these environments shape opportunities and outcomes, with a focus on neighborhood effects.

Steven and Xi Song talk about how intergenerational mobility declined in the U.S. after World War II, then discuss the diversity of experiences for different groups. Xi shares more about the trends in mobility broken down by race, immigration status, and gender.

Steven and Geoff talk to Nathan Wilmers about inequality in the labor market. He covers trends in wage inequality, declining union participation, the challenges of internal promotion, and the relationship between unequal income distribution and the luxury goods market.

Steven and Luis Bettencourt discuss what cities can teach us about inequality. With interests in ecology, sociology, and physics, Luis shares insights from these disciplines to the study of inequality in urban landscapes to understand growth, opportunity, and mobility.

In this bonus episode, Sam Bowles dives deep into the ancient origins of inequality, Marxian economic theory, the evolution of the economics curriculum, and The Moral Economy.

Steven and Sam Bowles cover a scholarly gamut, including Sam’s upbringing, his transformative encounter with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his thoughts on equality of voice in capitalist structures, and the ethical courage of pursuing questions rather than answers.