Divided We Stand: Economic Inequality and its Discontents

This course examines the nature, causes, and consequences of inequalities of income, wealth, happiness, and life expectancy within the US and across countries. US economic inequality has surged since 1980. Women earn less than men, Black Americans earn less than Whites, the bottom 50% earns less than the top 1%, and the global middle class earns less than the poor in rich countries. Why? And what can policy do to reduce economic inequality? How does inequality affect justice? Is poverty or inequality the more serious problem? Do moral obligations to reduce inequality extend beyond national borders?