Sarah Anderson directs the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies and is a co-editor of the IPS web site Inequality.org. Sarah’s research covers a wide range of international and domestic economic issues, including inequality, Wall Street reform, CEO pay, taxes, labor, and international trade and investment. Sarah is a well-known expert on executive compensation, as the lead author of more than 20 annual “Executive Excess” reports that have received extensive media coverage.

During the Obama administration, she served on the Investment Subcommittee of the U.S. State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP). In 2009, this subcommittee carried out a review of the U.S. model bilateral investment treaty. In 2000, she served on the staff of the bipartisan International Financial Institutions Advisory Commission (“Meltzer Commission”), commissioned by the U.S. Congress to evaluate the World Bank and IMF. Sarah is a co-author of the books Field Guide to the Global Economy (New Press, 2nd edition, 2005) and Alternatives to Economic Globalization (Berrett-Koehler, 2nd edition, 2004).

Prior to coming to IPS in 1992, Sarah was a consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development and an editor for the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. She holds a Masters in International Affairs from The American University and a BA in Journalism from Northwestern University.

Latest

Executive Excess 2022

The CEOs at America’s largest low-wage employers are grabbing huge raises while workers and consumers struggle with rising costs.

Biden Budget Takes a Step Toward Corralling Out-Of-Control CEO Pay

Administration proposal would restrict insider trades, and impose a tax on stock buybacks that largely benefit the fat cats.

Wall Street Bonuses Soar by 20 Percent, Nearly 5 Times the Increase in U.S. Average Weekly Earnings

If the minimum wage had increased as much as Wall Street bonuses since 1985, it would be worth $61.75 today.

Progressive Caucus Urges Biden to Use 55 Tools in His Executive Action Toolbox

The recommendations would reduce inequality by setting high-road standards for federal contractors, closing tax loopholes for the rich, canceling student debt, cracking down on price-gougers, and building worker power.

Why the Just-Passed Postal Service Reform Act is Such a Big Deal

The legislation gets rid of a manufactured financial burden that has threatened the ability of USPS to provide good jobs and universal service.

Biden’s Economic Plans Are Solid, but We Need Action

The president’s SOTU address tasked Congress with an ambitious agenda, but Biden needs to do much more on his own.

What Can Biden Say About the Economic State of Our Union?

Strong jobs numbers are not enough. The president should keep pushing a bold legislative agenda while deploying every executive tool at his disposal to achieve a more equitable economy.

Student Debt Cancellation is a Racial Justice Issue

Presidential executive action to cancel up to $50,000 in student debts would increase Black wealth by 40 percent.

Rev. Barber: ‘Our Deadline is Victory’

The Poor People’s Campaign and progressive members of Congress vow to continue the fight for the Build Back Better Act.

The Year in Inequality in 10 Charts

Our economic and racial divides grew even wider in 2021, but there are signs of hope for a more equitable future.

In the Latest Round of Budgetary Chess, Progressive Caucus Leader Jayapal Played a Shrewd Gambit

The Seattle Democrat has been willing to take the heat to secure a down payment on an agenda for economic equity and sustainability.

The Rich Already Have Paid Leave. Meet One of the Activists Behind the Fight to Make it Universal.

Advocates have overcome opposition from conservative Democrats to secure four weeks of paid leave in the House budget bill, but more obstacles remain.

Democrats’ Budget Deal Will Collect Billions from the Wealthy to Invest in Human Needs

The compromise is an important first step towards a fair tax system and a more equitable economy.

Let’s Make the Most of This ‘Tax Billionaires’ Moment

The movement to tax extreme wealth to pay for human needs suddenly has a rare political opening.

5 Charts on Taxing Wealth to Pay for the Build Back Better Agenda

Proposals in play to pay for the ambitious public investment plan could help reverse skyrocketing wealth inequality.

5 Charts on Tackling Bad Corporate Behavior Through Taxes

Proposals on the table to pay for the Build Back Better Act could rein in offshoring, excessive CEO pay, and wasteful stock buybacks.

Creating a Powerful, Broad-Based Moral Movement

Today’s voting rights and economic justice advocates must apply two key lessons from the courageous activists of a half-century ago.

Taxpayers are Subsidizing Soaring CEO Pay at Pentagon Contractors

If Congress doesn’t crack down on military contractor pay, the White House should.

House Tax Proposal Falls Short of Making Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share

The Ways and Means Committee plan would make a down payment on much-needed public investments but doesn’t go far enough to address wealth inequality.

Four CEO Pay-Related Taxes in Play on Capitol Hill

Revenue options that would also curb runaway executive pay have strong appeal across the political spectrum.

Program Director

Global Economy

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CEO Pay, Financial Regulations, Financial Transaction Tax, Inequality, International Monetary Fund, Tax Reform, Trade, Wages, Wall Street, Worker Rights

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