A small group of elite universities holds an outsized influence over the field of economics, shaping research, policy, and the broader economic narrative. But is that concentration of power stifling innovation and reinforcing the status quo? This week, Harvard economist David Deming joins Nick and Goldy to discuss his recent Atlantic article, in which he arg ... Show More
Jul 1
Back to Basics Series: Why do we call it Pitchfork Economics? (with Ganesh Sitaraman & Walter Scheidel)
In 2014, Nick Hanauer sounded the alarm: if economic inequality kept growing, the pitchforks would come—for him, and for the rest of America’s wealthy elite. Then 2016 happened. Donald Trump was elected president on a wave of economic populism that correctly identified massive in ... Show More
33m 16s
Feb 2025
HOT TOPICS | The American Dream is Gone, This is the American Nightmare! - February 13th, 2025
The United States is no longer a land of opportunity—it’s a playground for oligarchs. While millions struggle to afford basic necessities like healthcare, housing, and food, the ultra-wealthy and those in power continue to prioritize tax cuts for the elite. The American Dream has ... Show More
1h 30m
Oct 2023
Stephanie Southworth and Sara Brallier, "Homelessness in the 21st Century: Living the Impossible American Dream" (Routledge, 2023)
An accessible and engaging introductory text on homelessness and housing policy, this timely book uses a sociopolitical framework for understanding issues of homelessness in the United States.The authors, leading sociologists in their field, use data from over 250 interviews and ... Show More
1h 6m
May 2024
Harry Pettit, "The Labor of Hope:: Meritocracy and Precarity in Egypt" (Stanford UP, 2023)
Capitalism is not only an economic system but also a system of production and allocation of hope. In Egypt, a generation of young men desire fulfilling employment, meaningful relationships, and secure family life, yet find few paths to achieve this. In The Labor of Hope:: Meritoc ... Show More
56m 20s