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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adam Smith is often remembered for championing free markets, but his moral philosophy on inequality and power is less known. Eric Schliesser joins Steven Durlauf to discuss this side of Smith and the decline of the economist as moral philosopher.
Millions of American workers face uncertainty—unstable hours, sudden shift changes, and the constant threat of job loss. Host Geoff Wodtke speaks with Jake Rosenfeld on the decline of labor unions and Daniel Schneider on how precarious work affects households.
Lauren Rivera, author of Pedigree, reveals how hiring at elite firms often perpetuates privilege. In this conversation with Steven Durlauf, she critiques meritocracy’s failures for women, minorities, and people with disabilities.
