May 14 Bill Clinton discusses debt, deficit and economic inequality with Gwen Ifill By News Desk Former President Bill Clinton discusses debt, deficit, economic growth and inequality Wednesday with Gwen Ifill. The discussion is part of the 2014 Fiscal Summit sponsored by the Peterson Foundation in Washington, D.C. Continue reading
May 13 Watch Debating Piketty’s theory on how wealth begets wealth, widens the economic gap By PBS News Hour In "Capital," French economist Thomas Piketty explores how wealth and the income derived from it magnifies the problems of inequality. Gwen Ifill gets debate on his data and conclusions from Heather Boushey of Washington Center for Equitable Growth and Kevin… Continue watching
May 13 How Piketty’s inequality theory explains Mr. Darcy’s wealth By Thomas Piketty French economist Thomas Piketty has made a splash with his prediction that inequality will grow in America. But the economic relationship that explains that inequality is hardly new; it's the same phenomenon that allowed Pemberley Mansion to enrich Mr. Darcy… Continue reading
May 12 Watch 8:54 Why do the rich get richer? French economist Piketty takes on inequality in ‘Capital’ By PBS News Hour On a recent U.S. press tour for his bestselling book "Capital," French economist Thomas Piketty spoke to standing-room-only crowds about his examination of growing, global economic inequality. Economics correspondent Paul Solman interviews Piketty for his take on why inequality of… Continue watching
May 12 Inequality will worsen in America unless… Piketty’s Rx By Thomas Piketty The author of today's best-selling book about economics predicts that inequality is bound to get worse. His advocacy for an international tax on capital is well-known by now, but what else does he think can stem the tide of wealth… Continue reading
May 12 How the Social Security system rips off poor people By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security benefits are calculated in a highly progressive manner, but the system is plagued with catch-22s that disadvantage poor recipients. Larry Kotlikoff explains which benefit strategy will help a financially strapped retiree maximize her income. Continue reading
May 09 Ask yourself, says a notorious ‘Occupy’ academic, should your job exist? By David Graeber Increasingly, anthropologist and Occupy activist David Graeber argues, American workers are paid to look busy. The expansion of our days with meaningless work and the growth of entire industries that shouldn't exist, Graeber writes, fuel resentment toward "real" professions like… Continue reading
May 08 Watch Hefty child care costs present catch-22 for working parents By PBS News Hour In most of the country, child care is the most expensive part of the family budget. Infant care now costs more than state college tuition in many places. But while it might demand a luxury price, offering important advantages to… Continue watching
May 08 When it’s cheaper for parents to stay home than pay for child care By Simone Pathe The high cost of child care is squeezing many low-income parents who want to work full-time but have to stay home with their children because they cannot afford appropriate care for their kids. Continue reading
May 08 Watch Hefty child care costs present catch-22 for working parents By PBS News Hour Continue watching