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
Patriotic Millionaires Have Simple Message: Tax the Rich
Activists, academics, and elected officials gathered in Washington to explain why and how we should raise taxes on the wealthy.
U.S. Public Opinion Favors Bold Action to Address Rising Economic Inequality
Contrary to Donald Trump's redbaiting campaign, progressive initiatives such as imposing heavier taxes on the nation’s wealthiest citizens and corporations, establishing a universal health care system and forging ahead with the proposed Green New Deal actually have bipartisan support.
Trump Dumps Nearly 1M People From Food Stamps
Trump administration toughens work requirements for people struggling the most—and 48% are white men.
A Cure for Excessive Wealth Disorder
Here’s a simple test to determine whether politicians are carrying water for the richest 0.1 percent.
Ten Solutions to Bridge the Racial Wealth Divide
The deep and persistent racial wealth divide will not close without bold, structural reform.
Stop Saying We Can't Afford a Green New Deal
If top U.S. corporations can afford to spend over $5 trillion buying back their own shares of stock, the United States can afford a Green New Deal.
Disrupting Narratives That Justify Inequality and Poverty
Chuck Collins speaks with Project Twist-It's Mary O'Hara about narratives that individualize the causes of structural inequality and serve the interests of powerful elites.
Bring Back Eisenhower Socialism
Conservatives want you to believe that not having to choose between paying for rent or medicine is Soviet-style tyranny.
The Role of Family Wealth in Reinforcing Generational Divides
How can anyone, especially 30-somethings, afford to live in increasingly expensive cities?
What States Can Do to Reduce Poverty and Inequality Through Tax Policy
State governments have many options for recouping the windfalls large corporations and the wealthy received through the 2017 Republican federal tax law.
Taxing the Rich Is Bold — Can It Be Sustainable Too?
Innovative proposals like tying income tax rates for America's riches to the minimum wage for America's poorest could help high tax rates survive over the long haul.
How the Age of Billionaires Ends
Serious proposals are on the table to address the deepening divide between the uber-rich and the rest of us.
The Best Month for Egalitarians on Capitol Hill Since 1932
Those rare moments when our political class suddenly starts viewing the nation's richest through a skeptical lens can help trigger real social change.
Racism Props Up America's Richest — Here's How We Fix it
Black and Latino unemployment hit historic lows in 2018, but this is not enough to close the enormous gaps in wealth.
Bernie's Latest Proposal Attempts to Reign in the Influence of America's Wealthiest Families
Sanders' new 'For the 99.8% Act' is squarely aimed at preventing the children of today's billionaires from dominating our future democracy, economy, culture and philanthropy
A Wealth Tax Could Raise Trillions — and Save Our Democracy
Taxing wealth over $50 million would be an investment in protecting our country from the tyranny of a plutocracy.
The Shutdown Made Inequality Worse
The new Congress needs to prioritize economic policies that empower low-wealth families.
Black America's Vanishing Wealth Is Bad For All Americans
The racial wealth divide gives billionaires more power over all of us. The answer? Reparations.
New Study Shows Wealth Inequality Hits Communities of Color Hardest
And it’s not just about rich and poor. The racial wealth gap is damaging to the economy as a whole.
The Beauty Industry Profits from Inequality
In a world where wealth concentrates ferociously, we can't escape the ugliness our grand divides engender.
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