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
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.
Senator Warren's Wealth Tax: The Moment of Conception
There are great moments in intellectual cross-fertilization. This may have been one of them.
The Moderate’s Case for a Maximum Wage
Democrats have enough heft in Congress to force floor debates on proposals that meaningfully target inequality, but they'll need support from their moderate contingent if any real change is to occur.
How the 1% Profit Off of Racial Economic Inequality
The racial wealth divide is bringing down median wealth, while wealth at the very top soars.
An MLK Day Reflection: The Racial Wealth Gap Is Killing the Middle Class
Ninety years out from Dr. King's birth, the typical white family had 41 times more wealth than the typical Black family
The Deep-Pocket Push to Deep-Six Public Schools
The backstory to the showdown in Los Angeles between teachers and billionaires.
When Corporations Pay CEOs Way More Than Employees, Make Them Pay!
Portland’s groundbreaking strategy for curbing executive compensation should be a model for the rest of the country.
The Government Shutdown Expands the Ranks of 'Underwater Nation'
Unemployment is low, but federal employees are lining up at food banks. They aren’t alone.
A Dream Deferred: MLK's Dream of Economic Justice Is Far From Reality
90 years after King was born, the racial wealth divide is actually growing — which drags down the entire economy.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Tax Plan Can Get The Rich To Actually Want To Make All Americans Richer. Here's How.
Linking the top tax rate to minimum wage could be the key to incentivizing wealthy Americans to shrink income inequality.
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