The Inequality Podcast

Steven and Geoff talk to Nathan Wilmers, the Sarofim Family Career Development Associate Professor and an Associate Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, about the role that inequality plays in the ever-evolving labor market. Nathan covers a wide gamut of topics, including the changing trends in wage inequality, declining union participation, the challenges of internal promotion, and the cyclical relationship between unequal income distribution and the luxury goods market. He also offers his thoughts on how these trends might look into the future, as well as what things can be done to ensure a healthy wage growth, especially for those at the bottom of the distribution. Our Inequality in Perspective segment take a deep dive into recent developments in the gig economy from both a personal and academic lens. Special thanks to Dmitri Koustas, Associate Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, for his contributions to the segment.Links:The MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/institute-work-and-employment-research/about-iwer“The Evolution of Platform Gig Work, 2012-2021: Interactive Research Brief (Becker-Friedman Institute): https://bfi.uchicago.edu/insight/research-summary/interactive-research-brief-the-evolution-of-platform-gig-work-2012-2021/“The Evolution of Platform Gig Work, 2012-2021: Working Paper (Becker-Friedman Institute): https://bfi.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BFI_WP_2023-69.pdf“Taking a Page from Inclusive Capitalism, the US Gig Economy is Here to Stay” (Forbes): https://www.forbes.com/sites/nigelwilson/2023/02/08/taking-a-page-from-inclusive-capitalism-the-us-gig-economy-is-here-to-stay/?sh=3dfdbee925f0

We talk to Shelly Lundberg, the Leonard Broom Professor of Demography and AssociateDirector of the Broom Center for Demography at the University of California, SantaBarbara, about the long-embedded gender gaps in many professional fields, includingher own—economics. She guides us through the role that anti-discriminationlegislation has played in correcting these disparities, and addresses theflawed ways that economists have traditionally taught and measured them. OurInequality in Perspective segment considers the challenges faced by MartheGautier, the female French scientist believed to be the first person to discoveran extra chromosome in those with Down’s Syndrome, in having her contributionto research duly recognized.The Broom Center for Demography: https://broomcenter.ucsb.edu/“After More than 50 Years, a Dispute Over Down SyndromeDiscovery” (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

Luis Bettencourt, Professor of Ecology and Evolution and the Inaugural Director of the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation, discusses the relationship between cities and inequality. Topics include measuring inequality, residential segregation, economic growth, urban slums, and balancing sustainability with prosperity and equity. A story of a man's struggles in the favela during COVID-19 is also shared.

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=1000617556338The 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-juneteenthFrom the New York Times: https://archive.ph/ujbjS

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-booksLINKS TO INFORMATION ABOUT PULLMANDr. Ely’s Article for Harper’s Monthly: https://archive.org/details/8502ElyPullmanasocialstudy/page/n5/mode/2upPullman National Historical website: https://www.nps.gov/pull/index.htmSmithsonian 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-juneteenthFrom the New York Times: https://archive.ph/ujbjS