Program on Inequality and the Common Good
Extreme inequalities of income, wealth and opportunity undercut democracy, social solidarity and mobility, economic stability, and many other aspects of our personal and public lives. The Program on Inequality and the Common Good focuses on these and other dangers that income disparities pose for the U.S.
Through research and reporting, this program encourages policy interventions that can reduce extreme wealth inequality, and close the growing gap between the rich and poor. Recent reports have examined the estate tax, the racial wealth gap, inequality in philanthropy, and other topics related to extreme wealth concentration. The central theme of the program is that without significant reform and a systemic view of inequality on both a national and global level, the overall wealth divide will continue to grow exponentially.
Latest Work
Dismantling the Lucky Sperm Club, One Baby Bond Program at a Time
Cities and states are experimenting with trust fund accounts to narrow the racial wealth divide.
Congress Takes Historic Step to Tax Stock Buybacks
This provision of the Inflation Reduction Act will discourage corporations from siphoning resources from worker wages and productive investments for share repurchases that inflate CEO pay.
A Proposed Wealth Tax on Colombia’s 4,700+ Richest Would Raise $1 Billion
An Institute for Policy Studies analysis of the progressive tax proposed by incoming Colombian President Gustavo Petro would impact a small percentage of the nation's wealthiest while raising millions to address widening inequality.
The Rise of the Monster DAFs
Rising like monsters from the deep, donor-advised funds (DAFs) have finally caught up with foundations as the wealthy donor’s charitable warehousing vehicle of choice — and are poised to eclipse them.
Reining in Philanthropic Megadonors: What the Data Tell Us Is Needed
While megadonor gifts are celebrated, the growing dominance of large donors speaks to an erosion of democratic values. This must be addressed now.
Report: Gilded Giving 2022
Our nation’s charitable system is in danger of becoming a taxpayer-subsidized platform of private power for the ultra-wealthy.
Giving USA 2022: Charity Sector Stable but Increasingly Top-Heavy
Giving USA 2022 is the gold-standard report on charitable giving in the United States. But this year's story glosses over two important pieces of long-term context: what has happened to the giving capacity of typical Americans, and where much of the charitable giving has actually gone.
New Ipsos Poll Shows Broad Support for Bold Charity Reform
Concerns about warehousing charity dollars and tax subsidies for wealthy donors and perpetual foundations transcend partisan divide.
Time To End the Capital Gains Rate Giveaway
Our tax loopholes let marginal and arbitrary differences in facts give rise to markedly different tax outcomes.
Gustavo Petro’s Victory Brings an Opportunity to Reverse Inequality in Colombia
Running on a platform of gender equity, progressive taxation, and environmental protection, Colombia’s first leftist president could bring much-needed change to a deeply unequal nation.
The Climate Case for Taxing Wealth
Vast fortunes rely on destroying our planet. Taxing those fortunes to fund climate action could give us a shot at survival.
Visualize This: Donor-Advised Funds As Largest Recipients of Charitable Gifts
Watch this stunning time lapse illustration of the rise of donor-advised funds (DAFs) as the largest recipients of charitable gifts.
Bay State Billionaires
Massachusetts billionaires' wealth surges 46 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whither the Wealth Squad?
Funding the IRS' wealth squad can help ensure the nation's richest pay their fair share of taxes.
Activists Call on Davos Elite to Address Inequality and Hunger
Over 150 millionaires delivered a statement to the World Economic Forum, calling on Davos attendees to take on wealth inequality.
Debunking the Myth of the Fleeing Millionaire
As it turns out, high-earners won't leave if you increase their taxes.
Billionaire Wealth up $1.7 Trillion as U.S. Passes 1 Million COVID Deaths Milestone
The U.S. has recorded 1 million COVID deaths. In the time it took to reach that grim milestone, billionaire wealth is up $1.7 trillion.
New Data Tells Us Where Donor-Advised Fund Dollars Go—And Don’t Go
A new research database reveals that many donor-advised fund donations take years to make it to the coffers of operating nonprofits.
An Oligarchy Expert Answers Our Questions About Wealth and Empowerment
Northwestern professor Jeffrey Winters says he knows how to get billionaires to jump off the Forbes list of richest Americans.
Elon Musk Is Hiding the Ball Again on Taxes
Fanboys of the richest person on Earth are spinning bogus tales that swell the Musk fortune and embellish his ‘genius.’
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