Scott Page on Complex Systems Thinking and Diversity

The Inequality Podcast

38:30

Chef Shuai Wang was the runner-up on the 22nd season of Bravo’s Top Chef and is the force behind two standout restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina—Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ—where he brings together the flavors of his childhood in Beijing and the spirit of the South in some pretty unforgettable ways. He grew up just a short walk from Tiananmen Square, in a tiny home with no electricity or running water, where his grandmother often cooked over charcoal. Later, in Queens, New York, his mom taught herself to cook—her first dishes were a little salty, but they were always made with love. And somewhere along the way, Shuai learned that cooking wasn’t just about food—it was about taking care of people. After years working in New York kitchens, he made his way to Charleston and started building something that feels entirely his own. Today, we’re talking about how all those experiences come together on the plate, the family stories behind his cooking, and what it’s been like to share that journey on national TV. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 55:42

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Scott Page is the John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management at the University of Michigan. He joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss the relatively brief history of complex systems thinking and its impact on the social sciences. They also discuss Page’s work on diversity and its capacity to create more robust systems.

34 episodes

Scott Page on Complex Systems Thinking and Diversity

The Inequality Podcast

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

34 episodes

All episodes

1
Cristobal Young on ‘The Myth’ of Millionaire Tax Flight 47:19

2 days ago47:19

47:19

In every corner of the world, right-wing and even centrist policymakers voice a similar argument: that raising taxes will lead high earners to flee. In the United States, fear of tax flight looms large in blue states, where lawmakers worry local millionaires will decamp for tax havens like Florida and Texas. But research shows that even in states like Illinois, New York and California, millionaires tend to stay put. Why? Cristobal Young, a sociologist at Cornell and the author of The Myth of Millionaire Tax Flight , argues that even in this era of remote work, the wealthy still rely on local assets: professional networks, concentrated expertise, and more. Drawing on insights from anonymized tax returns and census data, Young documents the reasons that the rich tend to stay in high-tax states despite having the resources and incentives to flee. On this episode, Young discusses his work and its implications for inequality with hosts Steven Durlauf and Geoff Wodtke.…

1
Caterina Calsamiglia on Incentive and Equity Effects in School Choice and Education Policy 40:58

16 days ago40:58

40:58

Few policy areas generate the level of charged debate that education policy does. For parents and teachers alike, issues such as school choice, standardized testing, and discipline have persisted as political lightning rods. In such a contentious environment, finding evidence-based solutions is essential to improving both decision-making and educational outcomes. Caterina Calsamiglia is an ICREA Research Professor and the group leader of the Computational Social Science and Humanities unit at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), where she also leads the Welfare and Equity Group. In this conversation, Calsamiglia and host Steven Durlauf discuss her research into school choice, testing and more.…

1
Fabian Pfeffer on Wealth Inequality Across Countries 43:21

30 days ago43:21

43:21

Whatever a country’s level of income inequality, its level of wealth inequality is even worse. In fact, in many countries there is no correlation between the level of income inequality and wealth inequality. So if differences in income aren’t the main factor driving wealth inequality, what is? Fabian Pfeffer is a professor of sociology at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich where he holds the Chair for Social Inequality and Social Structures. He is the founding director of the Munich International Stone Center for Inequality Research. Before that, he was the founding director of the Center for Inequality Dynamics at the University of Michigan. In this conversation, Pfeffer and host Steven Durlauf discuss wealth inequality dynamics across nations and generations.…

1
Rachel Kranton on Identity and Economics 41:25

6 weeks ago41:25

41:25

In traditional economic models, individuals have one overriding motivation: utility. While this utility-maximizing paradigm has its advantages, it risks overlooking other forces that shape individual decision-making. One such force is group identity. Whereas a utility-maximizing model emphasizes what one wants, an identity-based model might emphasize what one believes they should want — because of who they are. Rachel Kranton is the James B. Duke Professor of Economics at Duke University, where she specializes in how institutions and social forces affect economic outcomes. Her work has helped build the foundation for an approach to economics that incorporates identity, transforming the way economists understand individual decision-making. She joins hosts Steven Durlauf and Ariel Kalil to discuss her identity-based approach to studies of schools, gender dynamics, workplace culture, and more.…

1
Educational Attainment and Inequality, featuring Salvador Navarro and Stephen Trejo 46:38

8 weeks ago46:38

46:38

The most complete measures of inequality consider the full life-course of an individual, from childhood to adulthood, and from adulthood to old age. One determinant of life outcomes is education, particularly whether one has obtained a college degree. Research has shown clear benefits of earning a diploma. But many qualified young people do not pursue one. Why? Today on the show, we present two conversations that address this question. First, host Steven Durlauf is joined by Salvador Navarro, professor of economics at the University of Western Ontario and a Stone Center affiliate. They discuss his research into the complex set of factors that lead some students not to attend college. Then, Steven is joined by Stephen Trejo, a professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin and a leading expert on the economic standing of Hispanic Americans. They discuss why college graduation rates have remained stubbornly low among the children and grandchildren of Hispanic immigrants.…

1
Deirdre Bloome on Intergenerational-Contextual Approaches to Inequality 45:20

10 weeks ago45:20

45:20

Some of the most heated debates in American life center on how much intergenerational inequality is influenced by historical context. Inequality, of course, doesn’t come out of nowhere—history always exerts some influence—but to what extent are today’s ills attributable to those of the past? The challenge for scholars is to pinpoint the exact mechanisms through which decades- or centuries-old forces persist. The past may not be dead—so how does it live on, empirically? Deirdre Bloome, Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and Faculty Member at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss her work measuring the historical evolution of racial inequalities in the family and the economy, and their lasting impact on mobility.”…

1
Dionissi Aliprantis on Segregation and Neighborhood Effects 41:53

12 weeks ago41:53

41:53

Decades after the end of Jim Crow, residential segregation remains a major factor in American life. The historical causes of this are well-known; less so are the ongoing forces that maintain segregation, despite progress made in other areas. For example, why do so many more high-income Black households live in low-income neighborhoods when compared to their affluent white counterparts? What drives this and other forms of 21st-century segregation? Dionissi Aliprantis is a Research Fellow at the Center for Economic Research on Governance, Inequality and Conflict (CERGIC) at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon in France. His research has focused on identifying neighborhood effects, quantifying the factors contributing to the racial wealth gap, and more. He joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss segregation, neighborhood effects, and the methodological challenges in studying them.…

1
Scott Page on Complex Systems Thinking and Diversity 55:42

14 weeks ago55:42

55:42

Traditional economic models often rely on tidy assumptions: rational agents, stable equilibria, linear relationships and so on. But those models can struggle to capture the messy reality of actual systems. Societies are constantly evolving. Assumptions can shift. And isolating the variables that underlie such changes can be daunting. Scott Page is the John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management at the University of Michigan. He joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss the relatively brief history of complex systems thinking and its impact on the social sciences. They also discuss Page’s work on diversity and its capacity to create more robust systems.…

1
Daniel Aldana Cohen on the Climate and Housing Crises 40:21

16 weeks ago40:21

40:21

The United States doesn’t have enough affordable housing. It has also failed to adequately address the climate crisis. These statements may not appear connected in any obvious way, but addressing one crisis inevitably leads to questions about the other. How do we build millions of new homes without leaving a massive carbon footprint? Perhaps one answer is to retrofit. But if cities fund eco-friendly renovations in working-class neighborhoods, what’s to stop “green gentrification”? Daniel Aldana Cohen’s work sits at this intersection. He is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is director of the Socio-Spatial Climate Collaboration and serves as a member of the Graduate Group of the Designated Emphasis in Political Economy. On this episode, he speaks with host Geoff Wodtke about how the United States might forge a way out of these twin crises, drawing on policy successes found abroad and in American history.…

1
Peter Boettke on Classical Liberalism’s Moral Philosophy 47:21

18 weeks ago47:21

47:21

Economists are often accused of practicing a “dismal science,” a discipline defined by the sober measurement of humanity’s limits: scarcity, zero-sum propositions, and inequality. But the old stereotype overlooks a more hopeful side of the science, one in which economists resemble moral philosophers. Peter Boettke is among the foremost scholars of this latter brand of economics. He teaches at George Mason University, where he is the Director of the F.A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the Mercatus Center. A disciple of what is often called the Austrian school, Boettke has written about how a society organized by classical liberalism can lead to human flourishing. He discusses the intellectual history of this philosophy with host Steven Durlauf.…

1
The Age of Unpredictable and Precarious Work, featuring Jake Rosenfeld and Daniel Schneider 1:05:48

20 weeks ago1:05:48

1:05:48

For tens of millions of Americans, working life is characterized by uncertainty and limited recourse. Hours can be plentiful one week and fleeting the next, and often unpredictable, with shifts arranged on short notice, at odd hours, or canceled just as erratically. The prevalence of at-will employment amplifies this insecurity, as the threat of job loss—a potentially devastating blow to both workers and their dependents—is ever-present. Often powerless against corporate practices that prioritize shareholder value over employee welfare, these workers are vulnerable to job insecurity and diminished bargaining power. Today, we examine the unstable state of American work and how we got here. First, host Geoff Wodtke is joined by Jake Rosenfeld, professor and chair of sociology at Washington University in Saint Louis. They trace the history of the American labor movement from its midcentury heyday to its downfall. The consequences of the decline in union membership loom large over the second conversation, with Daniel Schneider, a sociologist and professor at Harvard. He discusses his work exploring the extent to which precarious work has hobbled American households’ personal and economic health.…

1
Advances and Obstacles in Gender Inequality, Featuring Martha Bailey and Natasha Quadlin 1:08:08

22 weeks ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Sixty years ago, equal pay laws, the women’s movement, and widespread access to contraception ushered in a new era, transforming the lives of American women. In the years since, women’s place in higher education, the labor market, and wider society has dramatically expanded. American women live with the legacy of that progress yet remain hemmed in by its limits. Today, we present two conversations that examine the past and present of gender inequality in America. First, we are joined by economic historian Martha Bailey, the Director of UCLA's California Center for Population Research (CCPR), to discuss the outcomes of War On Poverty programs and the rise of contraception use. Later, host Geoff Wodtke speaks with sociologist Natasha Quadlin, associate professor at UCLA and fellow of the CCPR. They dissect a particularly vexing aspect of contemporary gender inequality: that women now outnumber men on college campuses, yet still face unique obstacles when they enter the job market.…

1
Lauren Rivera on Meritocracy and Its Failings 53:04

24 weeks ago53:04

53:04

In the United States, meritocracy looms large. Proponents argue that one should earn wealth and prestige through hard work, intelligence, and ability. However, any defender of meritocracy should contend with its shortcomings. Lauren Rivera is the Peter G. Peterson Chair in Corporate Ethics at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, and the author of Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs , a book-length study of hiring practices at elite banks, law firms, and consulting companies. What she documents are processes that often fail to reward the most deserving candidates and perpetuate existing privileges. In this conversation with host Steven Durlauf, Rivera lays out the case against meritocracy as it is currently understood, citing her work in Pedigree as well as other research that shows supposedly meritocratic systems failing women, racial minorities, and people with disabilities.…

1
David Lay Williams on the Intellectual History of Inequality 48:05

26 weeks ago48:05

48:05

Thousands of years before the modern era, great thinkers were theorizing about economic inequality. Unequal conditions were a focus of both Plato and Jesus, just as it was for later thinkers like Hobbes, Rousseau and Marx. David Lay Williams is a professor of political science at DePaul University. His new book, “The Greatest of All Plagues: How Economic Inequality Shaped Political Thought from Plato to Marx,” traces some 2,500 years of intellectual history about inequality, drawing surprising new lessons from some of the foremost figures in the Western canon. In this conversation with host Steven Durlauf, Williams discusses his findings and what we can still learn from these world-historic thinkers.…

1
Transdisciplinary Approaches to Wealth Inequality, Featuring Alberto Bisin and Jean-Philippe Bouchaud 57:28

28 weeks ago57:28

57:28

As this podcast has highlighted before, cross-disciplinary collaboration can enrich practically any investigation into the nature of inequality. It is hard to find more compelling evidence of this than recent breakthroughs in the study of wealth inequality. Today on the show, we speak to two experts who have made fundamental contributions to this literature, in part by drawing on physics, math, and even Renaissance-era history. Our first guest is Alberto Bisin. Alberto is a professor of economics at New York University. He joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss how models of wealth inequality have evolved over time, as well as how recent models have successfully incorporated tools from the physics literature. Expanding on those insights from physicists, in our second segment, Steven speaks with Jean-Philippe Bouchaud. A physicist and mathematician by training, Jean-Philippe has long been a pioneer of “econophysics,” and his work consistently reveals novel, eye-opening ways economists can supplement their work using physics and math.…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Shelly Lundberg on the Disparities Women Encounter in the Workforce 40:19

2 years ago40:19

40:19

We talk to Shelly Lundberg, the Leonard Broom Professor of Demography and Associate Director of the Broom Center for Demography at the University of California, Santa Barbara, about the long-embedded gender gaps in many professional fields, including her own—economics. She guides us through the role that anti-discrimination legislation has played in correcting these disparities, and addresses the flawed ways that economists have traditionally taught and measured them. Our Inequality in Perspective segment considers the challenges faced by Marthe Gautier, the female French scientist believed to be the first person to discover an extra chromosome in those with Down’s Syndrome, in having her contribution to research duly recognized. The Broom Center for Demography: https://broomcenter.ucsb.edu/ “After More than 50 Years, a Dispute Over Down Syndrome Discovery” (Science): https://www.science.org/content/article/after-more-50-years-dispute-over-down-syndrome-discovery “Down Syndrome Discover Dispute Resurfaces in France” (Nature): https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2014.14690…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Luis Bettencourt on Cities as Microcosms of Social Mobility 44:08

2 years ago44:08

44:08

Steven sits down with Luis Bettencourt to discuss what cities can teach us about inequality. Luis Bettencourt is a Professor of Ecology and Evolution and the Inaugural Director of the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation at the University of Chicago as well as an External Professor of Complex Systems at the Santa Fe Institute. With research interests spanning ecology, sociology, and physics, Luis extends insights from these disciplines to the study of inequality in urban landscapes to understand growth, opportunity, and mobility throughout the cities of the world and their capacity for social progress. Our Inequality in Perspective segment tells the story of a man navigating new trials while living in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. The Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation: https://miurban.uchicago.edu/ The Million Neighborhoods Initiative: https://millionneighborhoods.org/#2/8.84/17.54 INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAVELAS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: "Brazil’s Favelas Organize to Fight COVID-19" (United Nations): https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/brazil%E2%80%99s-favelas-organize-fight-covid-19 "Brazil’s Favelas Offer Lessons in Building Trust" (The New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/09/opinion/brazil-favelas-pandemic-trust.html "Covid-19 and the Brazilian Reality: The Role of Favelas in Combating the Pandemic" (Frontiers in Sociology): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8022550/…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Sam Bowles on What Economists Owe to Society 51:58

2 years ago51:58

51:58

In our first episode of The Inequality Podcast, we talk to legendary economist Sam Bowles, Professor of Economics, Emeritus, at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Arthur Spiegel Research Professor at the Sante Fe Institute, and Affiliated Scholar at the University of Siena in Italy. Steven and Sam cover a scholarly gamut, including Sam’s intellectual 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. For our Inequality in Perspective segment, we look at Pullman, the ill-fated company town located on Chicago’s far south side. Sam Bowles book, "Democracy and Capitalism": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/samuel-bowles/democracy-and-capitalism/9780465016013/?lens=basic-books LINKS TO INFORMATION ABOUT PULLMAN Dr. Ely’s Article for Harper’s Monthly : https://archive.org/details/8502ElyPullmanasocialstudy/page/n5/mode/2up Pullman National Historical website: https://www.nps.gov/pull/index.htm Smithsonian Magazine Article about George Pullman: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/rise-fall-sleeping-car-king-180971240/ In recognition of Juneteenth, we invite you to learn more about this important holiday. From the HISTORY Channel: https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth From the New York Times: https://archive.ph/ujbjS…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Bonus Episode: Four Questions for Sam Bowles 33:51

2 years ago33:51

33:51

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 . Link to our first episode with Sam Bowles: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-four-questions-for-sam-bowles/id1693218758?i=1000617556338 The CORE Curriculum Website: https://www.core-econ.org/ The Moral Economy by Sam Bowles: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300230512/the-moral-economy/ In recognition of Juneteenth, we invite you to learn more about this important holiday. From the HISTORY Channel: https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth From the New York Times: https://archive.ph/ujbjS…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Sports, Race, and Labor, Featuring Bomani Jones, Ilyana Kuziemko, Matthew Notowidigdo, and Kenneth Shropshire 1:23:23

30 weeks ago1:23:23

1:23:23

College athletics has tumbled into an unpredictable era. Money paid to players for their name, image and likeness has shaken long-held assumptions about what it means to be a college athlete. But although NIL deals have kicked off a new era in college sports, the tensions and conflicts involved are nothing new — nor are they unique to college athletics. Today on the show, we present a conversation that places the debate around paying college athletes into a broader context, drawing on the work of our esteemed panelists. The discussion, which was recorded live on stage earlier this year, features sports analyst Bomani Jones; Princeton Professor of Economics and Stone Center Affiliate Ilyana Kuziemko; Booth Professor of Economics Matthew J. Notowidigdo; and Professor Emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Kenneth L. Shropshire. Damon Jones, Stone Center Associate Director and one of our show’s co-hosts, moderates the panel.…

The Inequality Podcast

1
The Costs of Mass Incarceration Featuring Christopher Muller and Hedy Lee 42:34

32 weeks ago42:34

42:34

One of the most pernicious drivers of inequality in the United States over the past half century has been mass incarceration. Moreover, the consequences of mass incarceration have been borne not just by those held in prisons, but by their families and communities as well. First, Harvard sociologist Christopher Muller traces the historical roots of mass incarceration. He illuminates the close association between incarceration rates and the demand for labor, a relationship that has persisted from the 19th century American South down through the present day. Then, Duke sociologist Hedy Lee discusses her work on the oft-overlooked effects of mass incarceration on the families of incarcerated people. From the mental toll on spouses and children, to the nickel-and-diming of prison commissaries, the conversation catalogs a wide array of unexpected costs brought on by mass imprisonment.…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Bhash Mazumder on Intergenerational Mobility and Its Many Dimensions 46:48

34 weeks ago46:48

46:48

Inequality is rarely static. It can grow or shrink over time. Perhaps no one understands that dynamic better than economist Bhash Mazumder, whose work has been foundational in understanding and measuring intergenerational mobility. In this conversation with host Steven Durlauf, Bhash recounts how his research revealed a clearer picture of income mobility in the United States: namely, how previous estimates of mobility were far too rosy. Throughout their discussion, measurement issues abound. They consider typical metrics such as income and wealth, but also less obvious approaches, including surveys of physical and mental health. Last, they discuss how mobility has been shaped by two major events in American history: first, redlining policies that began during the New Deal, and second, urban renewal projects that were sparked by the Great Migration.…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Family, Identity, and Inequality, Featuring Ariel Kalil and Mesmin Destin 57:10

36 weeks ago57:10

57:10

Conversations about inequality tend to center on macro-level forces, such as political, economic, and social systems. But today on the show, we present two conversations that examine factors that unfold on a smaller scale: inside people’s everyday domains. In our first segment, host Steven Durlauf interviews fellow host Ariel Kalil, a developmental psychologist at the University of Chicago, about her work on family structure and the ways it can influence inequality. They drill down on the roles extended family members like grandparents play in raising children, how growing up with a single parent appears to have a more pronounced effect on boys, and how economic scarcity can hamper parents’ ability to give attention to their children. After that, Ariel and Steven speak with Mesmin Destin, a developmental psychologist at Northwestern. Drawing on research into identify formation, including the damaging effects of stereotype threat, Mesmin’s work explores identity-based motivation. The group considers various applications of this concept and how it may help alleviate inequality, including interventions that can help young people develop positive beliefs that are specific to their background and the benefits peer-to-peer mentorship programs.…

The Inequality Podcast

1
How Neighborhoods and Schools Shape Inequality, Featuring Felix Elwert, David Harding, Geoffrey Wodtke, and Marissa Thompson 1:00:31

38 weeks ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Neighborhoods and schools—through factors like socioeconomic composition, access to resources, racial segregation, and social networks—contribute to patterns of inequality and influence mobility. Today’s guests provide cross-disciplinary insights into how these environments shape opportunities and outcomes. First, host Steven Durlauf speaks with the University of Wisconsin’s Felix Elwert, UC Berkeley’s David Harding, and the Stone Center’s own Geoffrey Wodtke on their research, which investigates neighborhood effects and how they manifest throughout economic and social systems, with a spotlight on segregation in schools. Their discussion is followed by a conversation with Columbia University’s Marissa Thompson, who studies education’s role in shaping inequality. She shares her findings with hosts Geoffrey Wodtke and Damon Jones on how parents form their perceptions of neighborhood schools, how those perceptions can drive segregation, and what policy interventions might make a difference. Read the 2011 study authored by Geoff, Felix and David, “Neighborhood Effects in Temporal Perspective: The Impact of Long-Term Exposure to Concentrated Disadvantage on High School Graduation.” Read Marissa’s 2023 study of parental perceptions of school segregation, “ My School District Isn’t Segregated: Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Information on Parental Preferences Regarding School Segregation.” Learn more about the Stone Center at our website .…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Janet Gornick on the Importance of Measuring Socio-Economic Inequality 49:23

40 weeks ago49:23

49:23

On this episode of The Inequality Podcast, host Steven Durlauf is joined by Janet Gornick, director of the Stone Center of Socio-Economic Inequality at The City University of New York and one of the world’s foremost experts on the measurement of socio-economic inequality. They discuss her many contributions to improving the quantity and quality of inequality data available to researchers, including her time as director of LIS, the organization formerly known as the Luxembourg Income Study. The importance of data-gathering efforts like LIS remains front and center as the conversation progresses into a discussion of gender inequality and differences in family structures across countries. Last, the two reflect on the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to social science research and consider what questions new scholars should pursue in the future. Read a selection of Janet’s work here , and follow her on Twitter/X . Explore the LIS Database here . Read more about The Stone Center at CUNY, which houses the U.S. office of LIS, at their website .…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Miles Corak on the Great Gatsby Curve and Cross-Country Comparisons of Inequality and Mobility 50:05

42 weeks ago50:05

50:05

In the first episode of the new academic year, Steven sits down with Miles Corak to discuss cross-country comparisons of inequality and intergenerational mobility. They discuss the Great Gatsby Curve, the mechanisms behind the intergenerational persistence of socioeconomic status, and related innovations in economic research and policy in the U.S. and Canada. Read Miles’ blog post about the Gatsby curve here .…

The Inequality Podcast

1
The Two-Parent Privilege by Melissa Kearney: A Discussion (Live Recording) 1:35:08

2 years ago1:35:08

1:35:08

Since the 1970s, two-parent households have declined, while single-parent households have become more commonplace in the United States. This shift has occurred due to various factors, ranging from changes in labor markets, mass incarceration, and changing social norms surrounding marriage and parental responsibilities. In her book “The Two-Parent Privilege,” Melissa Kearny explores how this shift in family structure is related to childhood outcomes. Kearney argues that resources and stability afforded by a two-parent household yield significantly better outcomes: their children are much more likely to graduate high school, get a college degree, and have high earnings in the job market as adults. By contrast, children who grow up in single-parent households have substantially lower chances of such a life trajectory and are likely to raise their children alone. These empirical regularities have natural public policy implications. Join University of Maryland Professor Melissa Kearney to discuss her new book and how modern trends in family structure perpetuate inequality and erode social mobility. Geoffrey Wodtke, Associate Director of the Stone Center, moderates the discussion. Steven Durlauf, Director of the Stone Center, Damon Jones, an Associate Director of the Stone Center, and Ariel Kalil, a Stone Center Advisor, offer expert commentary. This event aims to present its audience with evidence of the effects of family structure on childhood outcomes and to explore public policies to strengthen the potential for two-parent households while making the consequences of single-parent households less onerous. This event was recorded on November 29th, 2023. LINKS: Full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvDMUTO7lxE&t=1646s Harris School YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisPublicPolicy The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind (University of Chicago Press): https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo205550079.html…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Conversations on Inequality and Public Policy: Affirmative Action with Glenn Loury (Live Recording) 1:26:11

2 years ago1:26:11

1:26:11

The 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC struck down race-based college admissions. It reignited debates about affirmative action as a tool for addressing inequality and historical injustice. In an interview recorded live at the Harris School of Public Policy in November, Stone Center Director Steven Durlauf and Brown University economist Glenn Loury discuss their different perspectives on affirmative action. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Interim Dean of the Harris School, moderates the event. This is the first installment of a series of Conversations on Inequality. These conversations aim to present audiences with arguments on both sides of a complex and nuanced issue with the hope of fostering a citizenry able to evaluate opposing perspectives critically and make informed decisions. LINKS Full Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1dc3D6iwlI&t=187s Harris School YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisPublicPolicy…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Guido Alfani on the History of the Rich in the West 44:50

2 years ago44:50

44:50

Steven talks to Guido Alfani, professor of economic history at Bocconi University, about the history of wealth inequality in western civilization. They discuss how the roles and perceptions of the rich have changed over time, touching on important moments in Western civilization, such as the Renaissance, the Middle Ages, the Industrial Revolution, and the modern era. Dr. Alfani also offers his thoughts on how things like religion, culture, war, disease, and government policies alleviate (or help contribute to) persistent wealth inequality. The Inequality in Perspective segment explores the lives of Tiberius and Sempronius Gracchus, two brothers who pursued radical reforms to redistribute land and address inequality during the waning years of the Roman Republic. Be sure to check out Dr. Alfani’s new book, As God’s Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West , available now. TIMELINE: 00-29:50: Interview with Dr. Alfani 29:50-44:49: Inequality in Perspective segment LINKS: As Gods Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West , by Guido Alfani (published by Princeton University Press): https://press.princeton.edu/our-authors/alfani-guido The Gracchi Attempt Reform (part of a series on The Rise and Fall of Rome): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTwjsIhcQmI Who Were the Gracchi Brothers of Ancient Rome? : https://www.thoughtco.com/gracchi-brothers-tiberius-gaius-gracchus-112494…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Conrad Miller on Affirmative Action and Discrimination 44:08

2 years ago44:08

44:08

Conrad Miller, Associate Professor of Economic Analysis and Policy at the University of California-Berkley’s Haas School of Business, joins Steven to discuss discrimination and affirmative action. The conversation digs into the methodology and surprising conclusions from four of Dr. Miller’s papers: one that explores federal affirmative action policies in hiring, another that examines how racial composition of a workforce changes absent federal intervention, a third that examines the role of state policy in prolonging gender discrimination in Saudi Arabia, and a fourth that scrutinizes police search data to see whether it is actually possible to strike a balance between effective searches and equitable, nondiscriminatory treatment. These papers collectively illustrate how government policy can be used for good (and bad) in addressing discriminatory hiring practices and beliefs. The Inequality in Perspective segment discusses the legal background and important Supreme Court cases surrounding affirmative action both in employment and higher education. Outline: 00-28:40 -- Interview 28:41-43:00 -- IIP Segment Links: https://www.oyez.org/ (A fantastic database containing summaries and audio from Supreme Court cases going back to 1955) Teamsters v. United States: https://www.oyez.org/cases/1976/75-636 Connecticut v. Teal: https://www.oyez.org/cases/1981/80-2147 Metro Broadcasting v. Federal Communication Commission: https://www.oyez.org/cases/1989/89-700 Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Peña : https://www.oyez.org/cases/1994/93-1841 Regents of the University of California v. Bakke: https://www.oyez.org/cases/1979/76-811 Grutter v. Bollinger: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2002/02-241 Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2022/20-1199 Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2022/21-707…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Xi Song on Intergenerational Mobility at Home and Abroad 46:04

2 years ago46:04

46:04

Steven talks to Xi Song, associate professor of Sociology and Demography at the University of Pennsylvania, about trends in intergenerational mobility across time and space. Dr. Song details how intergenerational mobility declined in the United States after World War II but then dives further to explore the diversity of experiences for different groups. She discusses the trends in mobility as broken down by race, immigration status, and gender. Steven and Dr. Song even outline the different ways that mobility can be defined and measured, from occupational mobility to exchange and structural mobility. Dr. Song then details trends in mobility in different countries, particularly in China, as well as the potential advantages of having centuries of genealogical data at your disposal. The Inequality in Perspective segment explores China’s One Child Policy and its possible impacts on intergenerational mobility. Special thanks to Dr. Lixing Li, economics professor at Peking University and affiliate of the Stone Center, for his contributions to the segment. LINKS: “The One-Child Policy Amplifies Economic Inequality Across Generations in China” (IZA Institute of Labor Economics): https://www.iza.org/publications/dp/13617/the-one-child-policy-amplifies-economic-inequality-across-generations-in-china#:~:text=13617%3A%20The%20One%2DChild%20Policy,Inequality%20across%20Generations%20in%20China&text=This%20study%20finds%20that%20China's,since%20its%20introduction%20in%201979 “A Grand Socioeconomic Reshuffle: The One-Child Policy and Intergenerational Mobility in China” (NBER): https://conference.nber.org/conf_papers/f176999.pdf “China’s Aging Population is a Major Threat to its Future” (TIME): https://time.com/5523805/china-aging-population-working-age/…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Michael Esposito on Racial Health Disparities 45:59

2 years ago45:59

45:59

Steven and Geoff are joined by Michael Esposito, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota, in a discussion about racial health disparities that continue to plague the United States. They explore how things like redlining, law enforcement practices, and unequal access to medical care contribute to racial gaps in both health outcomes and even mortality rates. Dr. Esposito also offers his thoughts on how budget priorities could be adjusted to address a wider definition of “public safety”. The Inequality in Perspective segment takes a deep dive into the history of redlining ad residential segregation in Chicago. LINKS: Mapping Inequality (amazing reference for HOLC maps from across the country): https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=12/41.776/-87.652&city=chicago-il&area=D99 Mahalia Jackson’s Person to Person interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDQC2fjD-Hk “Historic Home Mortgage Redlining in Chicago” (Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society): https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jillistathistsoc.107.2.0204 “Home histories: Mahalia Jackson’s Home” (South Side Weekly): https://southsideweekly.com/rich-history-mahalia-jackson-chatham-home/ Chicago FHA Map (UChicago credentials required): https://luna.lib.uchicago.edu/luna/servlet/detail/UCHICAGO~2~2~590~1240108:Mortgage-risk-classified-by-distric?qvq=q:chicago%20map%20federal;lc:uofclibmgr2~4~4,ARCHIVISION~2~2,UCHICAGO~28~28,uofclibmgr2~5~5,UCHICAGO~5~5,UCHICAGO~2~2,LUNAIMAGINGIIIFSALADTUA~5~5,uofclibmgr~21~21,UCHICAGO~12~12,ARCHIVISION~6~6,RUMSEY~8~1,UCHICAGO~19~19,UoEsha~4~4,UCHICAGO~11~11,UCHICAGO~18~18,uofclibmgr2~7~7,RUMSEY~9~1,uofclibmgr2~9~9,uofclibmgr2~3~3,ESTATE~2~1,UCHICAGO~6~6,UCHICAGO~7~7,uofclibmgr2~1~1,UCHICAGO~10~10,BINDINGS~1~1,UCHICAGO~14~14,PRATTPRT~21~21,uofclibmgr2~2~2,UCHICAGO~1~1,PRATTPRT~12~12,ARCHIVISION~4~4,BardBar~1~1,ARCHIVISION~5~5,AMICO~1~1,ChineseArtENG~1~1,HOOVER~1~1,uofclibmgr2~10~10,FOLGERCM1~6~6,UCHICAGO~20~20,LUNAIMAGINGIIIFSALADTUA~1~1,uofclibmgr~20~20,UCHICAGO~3~3,ARCHIVISIONBASETO14~1~1,uofclibmgr~16~16,UCHICAGO~15~15,LUNAIMAGINGIIIFSALADTUA~4~4,ARCHIVISION~3~3,UCHICAGO~17~17,UCHICAGO~16~16&mi=0&trs=5…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Matthew Kahn on Climate Change Economics 46:53

2 years ago46:53

46:53

Steven sits down with Matthew Kahn, Provost Professor of Economics at the University of Southern California, to discuss the interactions between inequality and climate change. Dr. Kahn outlines how changes in the environment are altering people’s lives across the globe, from hurricane-ravaged residents of New Orleans to rice-farmers-turned-shrimp-sellers in Dhaka. The lively discussion even explores the idea of progressives buying oil fields, up-zoning on higher ground, and allowing insurance premium prices to rise in order to reflect risk. The Inequality in Perspective segment explores the divide between the Global North and the Global South and how it complicates climate mitigation. Links : International Panel on Climate Change’s 2022 Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FullReport.pdf “Renewing Global Climate Change Action for Fragile and Developing Countries” (Brookings Institute): https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/NOV-2022-Signe_Mbaye_FINAL-1.pdf “It is Unfair to Push Poor Countries to Reach Zero Carbon Emissions too Early” (Brookings Institute): https://www.brookings.edu/articles/it-is-unfair-to-push-poor-countries-to-reach-zero-carbon-emissions-too-early/ The Brandt Line: https://www.bisa.ac.uk/articles/brandt-line-after-forty-years-more-north-south-relations-change-more-they-stay-same…

The Inequality Podcast

1
Nathan Wilmers on the Changing Labor Market Landscape 53:18

2 years ago53:18