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.
What if societies focused less on inequality reduction and more on lifting living standards? Lane Kenworthy makes the case for this shift and discusses what American debates over so-called "socialist" politicians miss about democratic socialism.
Americans often see poverty as the result of individual choices rather than structural forces. David Brady joins Geoff Wodtke to discuss myths shaping poverty policy, what it would take for government to make progress, and whether institutions or protest drive change.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What can household finance teach us about inequality? Understanding it means grappling with myriad variables. Damon Jones joins co-host Steven Durlauf to unpack income shocks, Black economists’ insights, universal basic income, and more.
