Economic Justice
Combating inequality means both lifting up and building power at the bottom, and breaking up concentration of wealth and power at the top. That’s why we work at the intersection of economic and racial justice through projects designed to build leadership and self-empowerment of black workers, immigrant workers, and low-wage workers, youth and families affected by incarceration, along with projects aiming to reverse the rules that criminalize poor people of color, and projects fighting to ensure that the wealthy and Wall Street corporations pay their fair share of taxes.
Latest Work
Getting Past Stars and Swipes Forever
In 1776, public-spirited patriots emerged from the ranks of America’s most privileged. Today’s richest offer up precious little of that public spirit. Why?
The Power of Fiction in Social Change
IPS Executive Director Tope Folarin and Chuck Collins explore how can fiction shape new narratives for the future.
The 2022 Giving Slump Exposes the Fragility of Top-Heavy Charity
When ultra-wealthy donors dominate philanthropy, our charities are less resilient.
The Power of Fiction in Social Change
Institute for Policy Studies Executive Director Tope Folarin and Chuck Collins were both were inspired by Ursula K. LeGuin to write fiction novels. Together they explore how can fiction shape new narratives for the future.
55 Years After the Launch of the Poor People’s Campaign, Taking Stock of Interlocking Injustices
New fact sheets by the Poor People’s Campaign and the Institute for Policy Studies reveal disturbing data on systemic racism, poverty and inequality, ecological devastation, and militarism in every U.S. state.
Poor People’s Campaign State Fact Sheets – 2023
A detailed look at poverty, racism, militarism, and ecological devastation in all 50 states plus D.C.
The Modern Form of Colonialism: Climate Change
We praise charity efforts to combat climate change in countries like Bangladesh as generous, without critiquing why they are made necessary in the first place.
An Alternative to Social Security Cuts: Make CEOs Pay Their Fair Share
Let’s raise the contribution cap, get rid of tax preferences for gilded CEO retirement accounts, and use the extra revenue to expand retirement benefits.
The Boldest Step to Close the Racial Wealth Divide in Generations
One state’s “Baby Bonds” program should be a model for the whole country.
Debt Ceiling Deal Reinforced Washington’s Old Double Standard for Military Spending
The budget deal was supposed to slow spending, but the most expensive federal agency didn’t get a budget cut — it got a raise.