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Class & Inequality

Thomas Piketty Takes On the Ideology of Inequality

In his sweeping new history, the economist systematically demolishes the conceit that extreme inequality is our destiny, rather than our choice.

Marshall Steinbaum

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Class & Inequality

Class & Inequality, Politics

When Will Capitalism End?

Rumors of the imminent death of capitalism have often been greatly exaggerated. But that doesn’t mean we must give up on making things better.

Alyssa Battistoni

Class & Inequality

We're Not All In It Together

The deep, growing divisions in U.S. society have an outsize effect in determining who suffers from this pandemic—as well as how the government responds.

Rajan Menon, Jeffrey Kucik

Class & Inequality, Global Justice

What 30 Percent Unemployment Looks Like

As we know from South Africa's crisis, political and social fault lines will shape the contours of joblessness.

Nicholas Rush Smith

Class & Inequality, Science & Nature

COVID-19 Crisis Capitalism Comes to Real Estate

Proptech is leading to new forms of housing injustice in ways that increase the power of landlords and further disempower tenants and those seeking shelter.

Erin McElroy, Meredith Whittaker, Genevieve Fried

Class & Inequality

Deaths of Despair

Boston Review talks with Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton about COVID-19, the relationship between culture, financial hardship, and health, and why capitalism’s flaws are proving fatal for America’s working class. 

Joshua Cohen, Angus Deaton

Class & Inequality, Global Justice

International Labor Solidarity in a Time of Pandemic

A new geoeconomic order is creating opportunities for organizing along supply chains.

Manoj Dias-Abey

Class & Inequality

COVID-19 and Welfare Queens

Conservatives have long been sounding the alarm about “undeserving” people receiving public assistance. These fears have deep ties to racism and the policing of black women’s bodies.

Scott W. Stern

Class & Inequality, Science & Nature

Recessions often improve population health, but COVID-19 may be different

Mortality rates typically fall during economic downturns. But the unprecedented features of the COVID-19 shutdown suggest that trend might not hold this time.

Sarah Burgard, Lucie Kalousova

Class & Inequality

Lucky to Live in Berlin

Germany's low death rate and quick payout of relief to workers makes a case for social democracy as preparedness.

Paul Hockenos

Forum

Taxing the Superrich

For the sake of justice and democracy, we need a progressive wealth tax.

Emmanuel Saez, Gabriel Zucman

Class & Inequality

What a Solidarity Economy Looks Like

Despite President Bolsonaro's COVID-19 denialism, a small Brazilian city has one of the most ambitious responses in the world.

Paul Katz, Leandro Ferreira

Class & Inequality, Politics

Coronavirus and the Politics of Disposability

COVID-19 is having a disproportionate effect among vulnerable populations. When the dust settles, as in all U.S. disasters, there will be a tale to tell of who mattered and who was sacrificed.

Shaun Ossei-Owusu

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THINKING IN A PANDEMIC

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