Matthew Desmond, a sociology professor and author renowned for his books on poverty, discusses the systemic roots of poverty in America. He highlights how societal awareness of privilege can drive change and critiques the ineffectiveness of current government aid programs. Desmond emphasizes the need for collective responsibility and innovative strategies to combat poverty, while also sharing hopeful narratives of grassroots movements that have made a difference. He challenges listeners to reconsider their roles in perpetuating or alleviating poverty.
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insights INSIGHT
The Poverty Debate Focus
The American poverty debate has focused on the poor, not the systems creating poverty.
The focus should be on who creates and benefits from poverty, not just the individuals experiencing it.
insights INSIGHT
Wealth and Poverty
Poverty in America isn't despite our wealth, but because of it.
Many benefit from the system, consuming cheap goods and services produced by underpaid workers.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Recognize Privilege
Recognize and acknowledge your own privilege and wealth.
Many live in extreme opulence compared to historical and global standards.
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Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society
Glen Weyl
Eric Posner
In 'Radical Markets,' Eric Posner and Glen Weyl argue that the current economic system is dominated by monopolistic practices and vested interests. They propose several radical reforms, including converting private property into public auctions, reforming voting systems using quadratic voting, improving global labor markets through innovative immigration policies, and making digital monopolies compensate users for their data. The authors aim to reduce inequality, restore economic growth, and resolve political conflicts by expanding the scope of truly free and open markets[1][3][4].
Poverty, by America
Matthew Desmond
In 'Poverty, by America', Matthew Desmond uses history, research, and original reporting to expose how affluent Americans, both knowingly and unknowingly, contribute to the persistence of poverty. The book details how corporate and governmental policies exploit the poor, driving down wages and forcing them to overpay for essential services like housing, cash, and credit. Desmond argues that the root of poverty lies not in the behavior of poor people but in the systemic exploitation by the wealthy. He also emphasizes the intersection of race and poverty, particularly affecting Black Americans, and calls for readers to become 'poverty abolitionists' to build a more economically just society[1][3][4].
Evicted
Matthew Desmond
Enrique Maldonado Roldn
In 'Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,' Matthew Desmond provides a detailed and compassionate look at the lives of eight families in Milwaukee who are struggling to maintain stable housing. The book explores the intersection of poverty, housing, and profit in the United States, highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to eviction and its consequences on families and communities.
Are we responsible for keeping poor people poor? Sean Illing is joined by Matt Desmond, a sociology professor at Princeton University and the author of the books Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City and Poverty, by America. They discuss why most Americans are unaware of their privilege and how their choices perpetuate poverty. They also discuss the power and hope that can come from bringing awareness to these choices and why abolishing poverty is possible.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
Guest: Matthew Desmond, Sociology professor, and author of Poverty, by America
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
