💸 Poverty Measurement

A deep dive into how we define, quantify, and track poverty — and why the metrics we choose shape the policies we pursue and the people we see.

Best Things First

by Bjørn Lomborg • 2023

Saving 4.2 million lives yearly costs $35 billion, if you fund only the most effective policies.

3.90

388

🌍 Development Economics 📊 Benefit-Cost Analysis 🤲 Effective Altruism 📋 Evidence-Based Policy 🎯 Policy Prioritization

Best Things First 91%

Saving 4.2 million lives yearly costs $35 billion, if you fund only the most effective policies.

by Bjørn Lomborg 2023

3.90

388 ratings

🌍 Development Economics 📊 Benefit-Cost Analysis 🤲 Effective Altruism 📋 Evidence-Based Policy 🎯 Policy Prioritization

Great Escape

by Angus Deaton • 2013

Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.

3.81

2k+

🏛️ Economic History ⚖️ Income Inequality 🌍 Global Health 📈 Poverty Reduction 📊 Measuring Wellbeing

Great Escape 90%

Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.

by Angus Deaton 2013

3.81

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Economic History ⚖️ Income Inequality 🌍 Global Health 📈 Poverty Reduction 📊 Measuring Wellbeing

Poor Economics

by Abhijit V. Banerjee • 2011

Poverty is not one problem but many small ones. Randomized trials reveal which fixes actually work.

4.27

25k+

🏗️ Development Economics 🌍 Global Poverty 🧪 Randomized Controlled Trials 📊 Evidence-Based Policy 🧠 Behavioral Economics

Poor Economics 90%

Poverty is not one problem but many small ones. Randomized trials reveal which fixes actually work.

by Abhijit V. Banerjee 2011

4.27

25k+ ratings

🏗️ Development Economics 🌍 Global Poverty 🧪 Randomized Controlled Trials 📊 Evidence-Based Policy 🧠 Behavioral Economics

Mismeasuring Our Lives

by Joseph E. Stiglitz • 2009

GDP tracks factories, not welfare. A Nobel economist's blueprint for a better number.

3.74

338

📊 Economic Measurement 📋 Social Indicators 😊 Happiness Economics ⚖️ Inequality Metrics 🌱 Sustainability Accounting

Mismeasuring Our Lives 90%

GDP tracks factories, not welfare. A Nobel economist's blueprint for a better number.

by Joseph E. Stiglitz 2009

3.74

338 ratings

📊 Economic Measurement 📋 Social Indicators 😊 Happiness Economics ⚖️ Inequality Metrics 🌱 Sustainability Accounting

In Our Hands

by Charles Murray • 2006

Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.

3.74

290

🏦 Universal Basic Income 📋 Welfare Reform 🏘️ Civil Society 🗽 Libertarian Economics 🛡️ Social Insurance

In Our Hands 90%

Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.

by Charles Murray 2006

3.74

290 ratings

🏦 Universal Basic Income 📋 Welfare Reform 🏘️ Civil Society 🗽 Libertarian Economics 🛡️ Social Insurance

All You Can Eat

by Joel Berg • 2008

America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.

3.88

137

🍽️ Food Insecurity 📋 Welfare Policy 🔗 Systemic Poverty 🏛️ Food Politics 🎭 Charity Critique

All You Can Eat 90%

America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.

by Joel Berg 2008

3.88

137 ratings

🍽️ Food Insecurity 📋 Welfare Policy 🔗 Systemic Poverty 🏛️ Food Politics 🎭 Charity Critique

The Human Cost of Welfare

by Phil Harvey • 2016

Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.

4.45

🏛️ Welfare Reform 📉 Anti-Poverty Policy 💼 Work Incentives 🔗 Welfare Dependency 🪢 Social Safety Net

The Human Cost of Welfare 90%

Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.

by Phil Harvey 2016

4.45

20 ratings

🏛️ Welfare Reform 📉 Anti-Poverty Policy 💼 Work Incentives 🔗 Welfare Dependency 🪢 Social Safety Net

White Poverty

by William J. Barber II • 2024

America's poor are mostly white. The lie that says otherwise keeps the working class fractured.

4.28

719

🏚️ Systemic Poverty 🔗 Racial Division 💭 Poverty Myths ✝️ Prophetic Tradition ✊ Civil Rights Legacy

White Poverty 90%

America's poor are mostly white. The lie that says otherwise keeps the working class fractured.

by William J. Barber II 2024

4.28

719 ratings

🏚️ Systemic Poverty 🔗 Racial Division 💭 Poverty Myths ✝️ Prophetic Tradition ✊ Civil Rights Legacy

Portfolios of the Poor

by Daryl Collins • 2009

Hand-to-mouth is a myth. On $2 a day, the poor juggle a dozen financial instruments just to survive.

3.95

1k+

🌍 Development Economics 💰 Microfinance 🏦 Financial Inclusion 🕳️ Poverty Traps 🤝 Informal Economy

Portfolios of the Poor 90%

Hand-to-mouth is a myth. On $2 a day, the poor juggle a dozen financial instruments just to survive.

by Daryl Collins 2009

3.95

1k+ ratings

🌍 Development Economics 💰 Microfinance 🏦 Financial Inclusion 🕳️ Poverty Traps 🤝 Informal Economy

Improving Poor People

by Michael B. Katz • 1995

Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.

3.83

📉 Poverty Policy 🏛️ Welfare State 🎯 Blaming The Victim ⚖️ Structural Inequality 🏙️ Urban Poverty

Improving Poor People 89%

Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.

by Michael B. Katz 1995

3.83

12 ratings

📉 Poverty Policy 🏛️ Welfare State 🎯 Blaming The Victim ⚖️ Structural Inequality 🏙️ Urban Poverty

Maid

by Stephanie Land • 2019

A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.

3.86

114k+

💰 Working Poor 🧹 Domestic Labor 🌫️ Invisible Labor 🏷️ Poverty Stigma 📋 Welfare System

Maid 89%

A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.

by Stephanie Land 2019

3.86

114k+ ratings

💰 Working Poor 🧹 Domestic Labor 🌫️ Invisible Labor 🏷️ Poverty Stigma 📋 Welfare System

In the Shadow of the Poorhouse

by Michael B. Katz • 1986

American welfare was designed to deter, not to help. The poorhouse closed; the logic stayed.

3.74

138

📜 Welfare History 🏚️ Poverty Studies 🔗 Structural Inequality 🏭 Racial Capitalism 💰 Political Economy

In the Shadow of the Poorhouse 89%

American welfare was designed to deter, not to help. The poorhouse closed; the logic stayed.

by Michael B. Katz 1986

3.74

138 ratings

📜 Welfare History 🏚️ Poverty Studies 🔗 Structural Inequality 🏭 Racial Capitalism 💰 Political Economy

Gang Leader for a Day

by Sudhir Venkatesh • 2008

A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.

4.07

26k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 📝 Ethnographic Fieldwork 💰 Underground Economy 🏠 Housing Inequality 👁️ Participant Observation

Gang Leader for a Day 89%

A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.

by Sudhir Venkatesh 2008

4.07

26k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 📝 Ethnographic Fieldwork 💰 Underground Economy 🏠 Housing Inequality 👁️ Participant Observation

The Bottom Billion

by Paul Collier • 2007

Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.

3.85

8k+

📈 Development Economics 🪤 Poverty Traps 🛢️ Resource Curse 🏚️ Fragile States 💣 Conflict Economics

The Bottom Billion 89%

Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.

by Paul Collier 2007

3.85

8k+ ratings

📈 Development Economics 🪤 Poverty Traps 🛢️ Resource Curse 🏚️ Fragile States 💣 Conflict Economics

Evicted

by Matthew Desmond • 2016

Poverty isn't the cause of eviction. Eviction is the cause of poverty, and the market profits.

4.47

115k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity ✊ Racial Inequality 🔄 Poverty Cycle 📖 Narrative Ethnography

Evicted 89%

Poverty isn't the cause of eviction. Eviction is the cause of poverty, and the market profits.

by Matthew Desmond 2016

4.47

115k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity ✊ Racial Inequality 🔄 Poverty Cycle 📖 Narrative Ethnography

The New Urban Crisis

by Richard Florida • 2017

Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.

3.49

1k+

🏙️ Urban Inequality 🏘️ Gentrification 📊 Economic Segregation 🏠 Housing Affordability 🌐 Global Cities

The New Urban Crisis 89%

Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.

by Richard Florida 2017

3.49

1k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Inequality 🏘️ Gentrification 📊 Economic Segregation 🏠 Housing Affordability 🌐 Global Cities

Development Economics

by Debraj Ray • 1998

Missing markets, bad information, coordination traps: the hidden economics of persistent poverty.

4.03

190

🌍 Development Economics 🪤 Poverty Traps ⚠️ Market Failures 🏭 Structural Transformation 👶 Demographic Transition

Development Economics 89%

Missing markets, bad information, coordination traps: the hidden economics of persistent poverty.

by Debraj Ray 1998

4.03

190 ratings

🌍 Development Economics 🪤 Poverty Traps ⚠️ Market Failures 🏭 Structural Transformation 👶 Demographic Transition

The White Man's Burden

by William Easterly • 2006

$2.3 trillion in aid left the poorest no better off. A World Bank insider explains why.

3.83

6k+

📈 Development Economics 🔍 Aid Skepticism 🌱 Bottom-Up Development 🔗 Colonial Legacies 🗳️ Public Choice Theory

The White Man's Burden 89%

$2.3 trillion in aid left the poorest no better off. A World Bank insider explains why.

by William Easterly 2006

3.83

6k+ ratings

📈 Development Economics 🔍 Aid Skepticism 🌱 Bottom-Up Development 🔗 Colonial Legacies 🗳️ Public Choice Theory

Fragmented Democracy

by Jamila Michener • 2018

Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.

4.23

120

🏛️ American Federalism 🏥 Health Policy ⚖️ Political Inequality 🏢 Bureaucratic Encounters 🔗 Race And Poverty

Fragmented Democracy 89%

Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.

by Jamila Michener 2018

4.23

120 ratings

🏛️ American Federalism 🏥 Health Policy ⚖️ Political Inequality 🏢 Bureaucratic Encounters 🔗 Race And Poverty

The Locust Effect

by Gary A. Haugen • 2013

Poverty's root cause is violence, not economics. The aid industry has been fixing the wrong problem.

4.32

2k+

🏚️ Global Poverty 📈 Development Economics ⚖️ Rule Of Law ⛓️ Human Trafficking 🏠 Property Rights

The Locust Effect 89%

Poverty's root cause is violence, not economics. The aid industry has been fixing the wrong problem.

by Gary A. Haugen 2013

4.32

2k+ ratings

🏚️ Global Poverty 📈 Development Economics ⚖️ Rule Of Law ⛓️ Human Trafficking 🏠 Property Rights

Shattered Nation

by Danny Dorling • 2023

Beneath every British crisis lies a map of inequality decades in the making.

3.97

119

🗺️ Regional Inequality 📉 Austerity Politics 🏚️ Welfare State Erosion 🏠 Housing Crisis 💰 Wealth Inequality

Shattered Nation 89%

Beneath every British crisis lies a map of inequality decades in the making.

by Danny Dorling 2023

3.97

119 ratings

🗺️ Regional Inequality 📉 Austerity Politics 🏚️ Welfare State Erosion 🏠 Housing Crisis 💰 Wealth Inequality

Invisible Child

by Andrea Elliott • 2021

Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.

4.70

20k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🛡️ Child Welfare 🔁 Intergenerational Poverty 🏗️ Gentrification 🏚️ Homelessness

Invisible Child 89%

Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.

by Andrea Elliott 2021

4.70

20k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🛡️ Child Welfare 🔁 Intergenerational Poverty 🏗️ Gentrification 🏚️ Homelessness

The Color of Welfare

by Jill Quadagno • 1994

Racial backlash, not liberal ideals, unraveled the American welfare state, program by program.

4.16

🏛️ American Welfare State ⚖️ Racial Inequality 🌪️ White Backlash ⚔️ War On Poverty 🏙️ Urban Segregation

The Color of Welfare 89%

Racial backlash, not liberal ideals, unraveled the American welfare state, program by program.

by Jill Quadagno 1994

4.16

90 ratings

🏛️ American Welfare State ⚖️ Racial Inequality 🌪️ White Backlash ⚔️ War On Poverty 🏙️ Urban Segregation

Whole Numbers and Half Truths

by Rukmini S. • 2021

India's official numbers tell a story so inconvenient the government stopped publishing them.

4.21

1k+

🗳️ Electoral Behavior 📊 Data Journalism 📈 Statistical Literacy 🏛️ Social Conservatism 👶 Demographic Transition

Whole Numbers and Half Truths 89%

India's official numbers tell a story so inconvenient the government stopped publishing them.

by Rukmini S. 2021

4.21

1k+ ratings

🗳️ Electoral Behavior 📊 Data Journalism 📈 Statistical Literacy 🏛️ Social Conservatism 👶 Demographic Transition

The End of Poverty

by Jeffrey D. Sachs • 2005

One billion people stuck below a dollar a day: the traps, the diagnosis, the way out.

3.69

11k+

📈 Development Economics 🪤 Poverty Traps 🦟 Disease Burden 💰 Foreign Aid 🌐 Multilateralism

The End of Poverty 89%

One billion people stuck below a dollar a day: the traps, the diagnosis, the way out.

by Jeffrey D. Sachs 2005

3.69

11k+ ratings

📈 Development Economics 🪤 Poverty Traps 🦟 Disease Burden 💰 Foreign Aid 🌐 Multilateralism

Hillbilly Elegy

by J.D. Vance • 2016

Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.

3.83

508k+

⛰️ Appalachian Memoir 🏭 White Working Class 🧸 Childhood Adversity 📈 Upward Mobility 🔁 Generational Cycles

Hillbilly Elegy 89%

Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.

by J.D. Vance 2016

3.83

508k+ ratings

⛰️ Appalachian Memoir 🏭 White Working Class 🧸 Childhood Adversity 📈 Upward Mobility 🔁 Generational Cycles

The Mystery Of Capital

by Hernando de Soto • 2000

$9.3 trillion: what the world's poor already own and cannot borrow a dime against.

3.99

4k+

🏠 Property Rights 🌍 Development Economics 🏘️ Informal Economies 🏛️ Institutional Economics ⚖️ Rule Of Law

The Mystery Of Capital 89%

$9.3 trillion: what the world's poor already own and cannot borrow a dime against.

by Hernando de Soto 2000

3.99

4k+ ratings

🏠 Property Rights 🌍 Development Economics 🏘️ Informal Economies 🏛️ Institutional Economics ⚖️ Rule Of Law

Poverty Safari

by Darren McGarvey • 2017

Poverty isn't just broke. It's trauma, addiction, and a mind that fights its own rescue.

4.01

7k+

🏚️ Urban Poverty 📊 Class Analysis 💊 Addiction And Recovery 🧠 Childhood Trauma 🔁 Cycle Of Poverty

Poverty Safari 89%

Poverty isn't just broke. It's trauma, addiction, and a mind that fights its own rescue.

by Darren McGarvey 2017

4.01

7k+ ratings

🏚️ Urban Poverty 📊 Class Analysis 💊 Addiction And Recovery 🧠 Childhood Trauma 🔁 Cycle Of Poverty

How the Poor Can Save Capitalism

by John Hope Bryant • 2014

The poor aren't a drain; they're an untapped engine. A blueprint for making capitalism include them.

3.99

210

🧠 Financial Literacy 📈 Credit Repair 🏦 Community Banking 💸 Predatory Lending 💭 Poverty Psychology

How the Poor Can Save Capitalism Summary

How the Poor Can Save Capitalism 89%

The poor aren't a drain; they're an untapped engine. A blueprint for making capitalism include them.

by John Hope Bryant 2014

3.99

210 ratings

🧠 Financial Literacy 📈 Credit Repair 🏦 Community Banking 💸 Predatory Lending 💭 Poverty Psychology

Homelessness Is a Housing Problem

by Gregg Colburn • 2022

Homelessness rates don't track mental illness or poverty. They track rent and vacancy rates.

4.21

1k+

� Housing Policy 🏙️ Urban Economics 🏘️ Affordable Housing 🏡 Housing First 🗺️ Urban Planning

Homelessness Is a Housing Problem Summary

Homelessness Is a Housing Problem 89%

Homelessness rates don't track mental illness or poverty. They track rent and vacancy rates.

by Gregg Colburn 2022

4.21

1k+ ratings

� Housing Policy 🏙️ Urban Economics 🏘️ Affordable Housing 🏡 Housing First 🗺️ Urban Planning

Life at the Bottom

by Theodore Dalrymple • 2001

Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.

4.23

4k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🏛️ Welfare State Critique 🎭 Victimhood Culture 🌐 Cultural Relativism ✍️ Cultural Criticism

Life at the Bottom 88%

Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.

by Theodore Dalrymple 2001

4.23

4k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🏛️ Welfare State Critique 🎭 Victimhood Culture 🌐 Cultural Relativism ✍️ Cultural Criticism

American Apartheid

by Douglas S. Massey • 1993

The ghetto was engineered. Segregation, not class or culture, makes black poverty permanent.

4.13

2k+

🏠 Housing Discrimination 🏚️ Urban Poverty ⚖️ Structural Racism 🗺️ Redlining 📍 Spatial Inequality

American Apartheid 88%

The ghetto was engineered. Segregation, not class or culture, makes black poverty permanent.

by Douglas S. Massey 1993

4.13

2k+ ratings

🏠 Housing Discrimination 🏚️ Urban Poverty ⚖️ Structural Racism 🗺️ Redlining 📍 Spatial Inequality

Categorically Unequal

by Douglas S. Massey • 2007

America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.

4.24

134

📊 Social Stratification 🔀 Race And Class 🏛️ Political Economy 🔗 Mass Incarceration 🧠 Social Cognition

Categorically Unequal 88%

America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.

by Douglas S. Massey 2007

4.24

134 ratings

📊 Social Stratification 🔀 Race And Class 🏛️ Political Economy 🔗 Mass Incarceration 🧠 Social Cognition

The Life You Can Save

by Peter Singer • 2009

Child drowning: you'd wade in. Child dying of malaria: $10 saves her. The moral math is identical.

4.15

7k+

🧮 Effective Altruism 🌍 Global Poverty ⚖️ Utilitarian Ethics 💝 Charitable Giving 🌐 Global Justice

The Life You Can Save 88%

Child drowning: you'd wade in. Child dying of malaria: $10 saves her. The moral math is identical.

by Peter Singer 2009

4.15

7k+ ratings

🧮 Effective Altruism 🌍 Global Poverty ⚖️ Utilitarian Ethics 💝 Charitable Giving 🌐 Global Justice

GDP

by Diane Coyle • 2014

GDP was built for counting tanks and factories, not software, services, or a livable planet.

3.65

816

📏 Economic Measurement 📜 Economic History 🏛️ Macroeconomic Policy 💷 Keynesian Economics 🌐 Welfare Economics

GDP 88%

GDP was built for counting tanks and factories, not software, services, or a livable planet.

by Diane Coyle 2014

3.65

816 ratings

📏 Economic Measurement 📜 Economic History 🏛️ Macroeconomic Policy 💷 Keynesian Economics 🌐 Welfare Economics

Ain't No Makin' It

by Jay MacLeod • 2008

One group believed hard work would save them; the other didn't. Class position decided their fates.

4.07

1k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 📝 Ethnographic Sociology ⚖️ Class Inequality 🔄 Social Reproduction 🚧 Structural Barriers

Ain't No Makin' It 88%

One group believed hard work would save them; the other didn't. Class position decided their fates.

by Jay MacLeod 2008

4.07

1k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 📝 Ethnographic Sociology ⚖️ Class Inequality 🔄 Social Reproduction 🚧 Structural Barriers

The Idealist

by Nina Munk • 2013

The $120-per-person plan to end poverty in Africa: why it failed, village by village.

3.94

1k+

📈 Development Economics 🌍 Foreign Aid 🏛️ Top-Down Planning 🪤 Poverty Traps 🔄 Aid Dependency

The Idealist 88%

The $120-per-person plan to end poverty in Africa: why it failed, village by village.

by Nina Munk 2013

3.94

1k+ ratings

📈 Development Economics 🌍 Foreign Aid 🏛️ Top-Down Planning 🪤 Poverty Traps 🔄 Aid Dependency

Behind the Beautiful Forevers

by Katherine Boo • 2012

A murder charge, born of envy, traps a garbage-sorting family in Mumbai's market for justice.

3.98

117k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🇮🇳 Indian Society 🪝 Systemic Corruption 📝 Narrative Journalism ♻️ Waste Economies

Behind the Beautiful Forevers 88%

A murder charge, born of envy, traps a garbage-sorting family in Mumbai's market for justice.

by Katherine Boo 2012

3.98

117k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🇮🇳 Indian Society 🪝 Systemic Corruption 📝 Narrative Journalism ♻️ Waste Economies

Poverty, by America

by Matthew Desmond • 2023

Poverty in America persists by design, fueled by exploitation and welfare that flows to the top.

4.27

64k+

🏚️ Housing Exploitation 🛠️ Labor Exploitation 💰 Affluent Welfare 🏘️ Residential Segregation 🚧 Opportunity Hoarding

Poverty, by America 88%

Poverty in America persists by design, fueled by exploitation and welfare that flows to the top.

by Matthew Desmond 2023

4.27

64k+ ratings

🏚️ Housing Exploitation 🛠️ Labor Exploitation 💰 Affluent Welfare 🏘️ Residential Segregation 🚧 Opportunity Hoarding

Scarcity

by Sendhil Mullainathan • 2013

The psychology that sharpens focus under a deadline also traps the poor, lonely, and busy.

3.94

8k+

💸 Behavioral Economics 🧠 Cognitive Psychology 🧮 Cognitive Load 🪫 Decision Fatigue 🔍 Attention Management

Scarcity 88%

The psychology that sharpens focus under a deadline also traps the poor, lonely, and busy.

by Sendhil Mullainathan 2013

3.94

8k+ ratings

💸 Behavioral Economics 🧠 Cognitive Psychology 🧮 Cognitive Load 🪫 Decision Fatigue 🔍 Attention Management

The Spirit Level

by Richard G. Wilkinson • 2009

Inequality sickens and divides. In rich countries, the gap matters more than the wealth itself.

4.13

7k+

💸 Income Inequality 🏥 Public Health 🤝 Social Trust 😰 Status Anxiety 📊 Progressive Economics

The Spirit Level 88%

Inequality sickens and divides. In rich countries, the gap matters more than the wealth itself.

by Richard G. Wilkinson 2009

4.13

7k+ ratings

💸 Income Inequality 🏥 Public Health 🤝 Social Trust 😰 Status Anxiety 📊 Progressive Economics

The Broken Ladder

by Keith Payne • 2018

Inequality doesn't just divide bank accounts. It rewires how we think, vote, and age.

4.20

4k+

🪞 Social Comparison 💰 Economic Inequality ⏳ Scarcity Mindset ⚖️ Relative Deprivation 🗳️ Political Polarization

The Broken Ladder 88%

Inequality doesn't just divide bank accounts. It rewires how we think, vote, and age.

by Keith Payne 2018

4.20

4k+ ratings

🪞 Social Comparison 💰 Economic Inequality ⏳ Scarcity Mindset ⚖️ Relative Deprivation 🗳️ Political Polarization

All That Is Solid

by Danny Dorling • 2014

Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.

3.55

144

🏘️ Housing Policy 💰 Wealth Inequality 📈 Financialization 🌪️ Disaster Capitalism 🏢 Social Housing

All That Is Solid 88%

Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.

by Danny Dorling 2014

3.55

144 ratings

🏘️ Housing Policy 💰 Wealth Inequality 📈 Financialization 🌪️ Disaster Capitalism 🏢 Social Housing

From Welfare to Workfare

by Jennifer Mittelstadt • 2005

Reformers taught poor mothers to work to save welfare; they built the case for workfare instead.

3.91

📋 Welfare Policy 🏛️ Postwar America 🔄 Unintended Consequences 🎭 Racial Liberalism 👩‍👧 Feminization Of Poverty

From Welfare to Workfare 88%

Reformers taught poor mothers to work to save welfare; they built the case for workfare instead.

by Jennifer Mittelstadt 2005

3.91

11 ratings

📋 Welfare Policy 🏛️ Postwar America 🔄 Unintended Consequences 🎭 Racial Liberalism 👩‍👧 Feminization Of Poverty

Utopia for Realists

by Rutger Bregman • 2014

Three policies sound absurd: free money, open borders, a fifteen-hour week. The evidence disagrees.

4.21

44k+

💸 Universal Basic Income 🌍 Open Borders ⏳ Work Reduction 🏙️ Utopian Thinking 🪙 Poverty Alleviation

Utopia for Realists 88%

Three policies sound absurd: free money, open borders, a fifteen-hour week. The evidence disagrees.

by Rutger Bregman 2014

4.21

44k+ ratings

💸 Universal Basic Income 🌍 Open Borders ⏳ Work Reduction 🏙️ Utopian Thinking 🪙 Poverty Alleviation

The Great Leveler

by Walter Scheidel • 2017

Inequality never falls gently. It only falls after catastrophe: war, revolution, plague, collapse.

3.81

2k+

📈 Economic History 🏛️ Political Economy 📊 Inequality Studies 💰 Wealth Concentration ⚖️ Comparative History

The Great Leveler 88%

Inequality never falls gently. It only falls after catastrophe: war, revolution, plague, collapse.

by Walter Scheidel 2017

3.81

2k+ ratings

📈 Economic History 🏛️ Political Economy 📊 Inequality Studies 💰 Wealth Concentration ⚖️ Comparative History

Shifting the Color Line

by Robert C. Lieberman • 1998

New Deal welfare was a racial sorting machine, not by intent but by institutional design.

3.69

🏛️ American Welfare State 🕰️ New Deal Era ⚖️ Institutional Racism 🏗️ Structural Inequality 🏫 Historical Institutionalism

Shifting the Color Line 88%

New Deal welfare was a racial sorting machine, not by intent but by institutional design.

by Robert C. Lieberman 1998

3.69

16 ratings

🏛️ American Welfare State 🕰️ New Deal Era ⚖️ Institutional Racism 🏗️ Structural Inequality 🏫 Historical Institutionalism

Where We Stand

by bell hooks • 2000

Feminism and antiracism won't succeed until they confront the thing they most ignore: class.

4.24

3k+

🤝 Intersectional Feminism 🏛️ Class Analysis ✊🏾 Black Feminism 💸 Poverty In America 🏚️ Housing Discrimination

Where We Stand 88%

Feminism and antiracism won't succeed until they confront the thing they most ignore: class.

by bell hooks 2000

4.24

3k+ ratings

🤝 Intersectional Feminism 🏛️ Class Analysis ✊🏾 Black Feminism 💸 Poverty In America 🏚️ Housing Discrimination

The Economics of Inequality

by Thomas Piketty • 1997

Inequality fell through war and taxes, not growth. When those forces weakened, the gap widened.

3.65

2k+

🏦 Economic Inequality 👷 Labor Economics 💰 Redistribution Policy 🕳️ Poverty Traps 🛡️ Social Insurance

The Economics of Inequality 88%

Inequality fell through war and taxes, not growth. When those forces weakened, the gap widened.

by Thomas Piketty 1997

3.65

2k+ ratings

🏦 Economic Inequality 👷 Labor Economics 💰 Redistribution Policy 🕳️ Poverty Traps 🛡️ Social Insurance

Having Nothing, Possessing Everything

by Michael Mather • 2018

A pastor stopped tallying what his poor neighborhood lacked. What he found rewrote his calling.

4.39

241

🗺️ Asset-Based Community Development 🏙️ Urban Ministry 💰 Community Economics 🍽️ Radical Hospitality ✊ Faith-Based Organizing

Having Nothing, Possessing Everything Summary

Having Nothing, Possessing Everything 88%

A pastor stopped tallying what his poor neighborhood lacked. What he found rewrote his calling.

by Michael Mather 2018

4.39

241 ratings

🗺️ Asset-Based Community Development 🏙️ Urban Ministry 💰 Community Economics 🍽️ Radical Hospitality ✊ Faith-Based Organizing

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