Sam Bowles on What Economists Owe to Society

The Inequality Podcast

In our first episode of The Inequality Podcast, we talk to legendary economist Sam Bowles, Professor of Economics, Emeritus, at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Arthur Spiegel Research Professor at the Sante Fe Institute, and Affiliated Scholar at the University of Siena in Italy. Steven and Sam cover a scholarly gamut, including Sam’s intellectual upbringing, his transformative encounter with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his thoughts on equality of voice in capitalist structures, and the ethical courage of pursuing questions rather than answers. For our Inequality in Perspective segment, we look at Pullman, the ill-fated company town located on Chicago’s far south side.

Sam Bowles book, "Democracy and Capitalism": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/samuel-bowles/democracy-and-capitalism/9780465016013/?lens=basic-books

LINKS TO INFORMATION ABOUT PULLMAN

Dr. Ely’s Article for Harper’s Monthly: https://archive.org/details/8502ElyPullmanasocialstudy/page/n5/mode/2up

Pullman National Historical website: https://www.nps.gov/pull/index.htm

Smithsonian Magazine Article about George Pullman: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/rise-fall-sleeping-car-king-180971240/

In recognition of Juneteenth, we invite you to learn more about this important holiday.

From the HISTORY Channel: https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

From the New York Times: https://archive.ph/ujbjS