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Recent rulings are rolling back federal regulatory authority, echoing past constitutional battles over administrative governance. Gillian Metzger, a professor of constitutional law at Columbia University, examines the Supreme Court’s ongoing efforts to limit administrative power, framing it as part of a broader conservative legal and political strategy. She traces the roots of these attacks back to the 1930s, when similar judicial resistance to federal governance triggered a constitutional crisis. Metzger discusses the implications of overturning the Chevron doctrine, a decision that previously allowed agencies to interpret ambiguous laws, and how these legal shifts threaten environmental protections, financial regulations, and public health policies. She argues that understanding this historical pattern is essential to anticipating the next phase of legal and political battles over the role of government in American life. Learn more about her work at https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/gillian-metzger
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The Supreme Court and the Dismantling of Government Power

Fred Block, Research Professor of Sociology at UC Davis, joins Rob Johnson to discuss his latest book, "The Habitation Society", which explores the need to move beyond industrial-era economic models to create an economy that prioritizes community well-being. Block critiques how economic policies have fueled inequality and stagnation while offering solutions—such as restructuring public finance—to foster prosperity for all. Find the book: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-habitation-society/9781788217507 Subscribe and Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/economics-beyond-with-rob-johnson/id1509092730 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0EsdWvGiOmQmw1EPEej57Y?si=OoaLsJSmTdmtDeOoWjwVaQ Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/economics-beyond-with-rob-johnson Google Podcasts https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2Vjb25vbWljc2FuZGJleW9uZC9mZWVkLnhtbA==
YouTube Video VVVwNWhHOHJ0MXoyTUo5YU5WeFkyWGRnLnUxbHBOYTZ2MDhV

Beyond Industrialism: Building Communities That Work for People

Efforts to erase race-conscious policies threaten broader equality initiatives. Olatunde C.A. Johnson, a professor of law at@columbia University, discusses the legal and historical dimensions of affirmative action, tracing its origins from civil rights-era policies to recent Supreme Court rulings. She highlights how the latest challenges to race-conscious admissions at Harvard and UNC represent a broader movement to dismantle policies that address racial inequality—not just in education, but in employment, environmental justice, and beyond. Johnson critiques the shift toward "colorblind" interpretations of the Equal Protection Clause, arguing that they ignore the amendment’s abolitionist roots and purpose. As affirmative action faces increasing legal scrutiny, she urges a deeper understanding of its role in fostering substantive equality. Learn more about her work at https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/olatunde-c-johnson
YouTube Video VVVwNWhHOHJ0MXoyTUo5YU5WeFkyWGRnLl96RHJtaHJuVHUw

The Future of Affirmative Action & the Fight for Equality

Can equality extend beyond nations? Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel discuss global wealth redistribution, climate responsibility, and the need for economic patriotism to counter nationalist movements. // What does equality really mean, and why does it matter now more than ever? Arminio Fraga presents a series of conversations between world-renowned economist Thomas Piketty and philosopher Michael Sandel about the roots of economic and social inequality. They explore how globalization, meritocracy, and capitalism have shaped our world—and what we can do to create a fairer future. Inspired by their new book, Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters, this series challenges conventional wisdom and offers bold solutions. https://www.amazon.com/Equality-What-Means-Why-Matters/dp/1509565507 In this compelling dialogue, two of the world's most influential thinkers reflect on the value of equality and debate what citizens and governments should do to narrow the gaps that separate us. Ranging across economics, philosophy, history, and current affairs, Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel consider how far we have come in achieving greater equality. At the same time, they confront head-on the extreme divides that remain in wealth, income, power, and status nationally and globally. What can be done at a time of deep political instability and environmental crisis? Piketty and Sandel agree on much: more inclusive investment in health and education, higher progressive taxation, curbing the political power of the rich and the overreach of markets. But how far and how fast can we push? Should we prioritize material or social change? What are the prospects for any change at all with nationalist forces resurgent? How should the left relate to values like patriotism and local solidarity where they collide with the challenges of mass migration and global climate change? To see Piketty and Sandel grapple with these and other problems is to glimpse new possibilities for change and justice but also the stubborn truth that progress towards greater equality never comes quickly or without deep social conflict and political struggle. // Thomas Piketty is Professor of Economics at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales. Michael J. Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University.
YouTube Video VVVwNWhHOHJ0MXoyTUo5YU5WeFkyWGRnLjVfX0gxcmVfR3dZ

Beyond Borders: Global Justice & Economic Patriotism

How did hyper-globalization fuel populist backlash? Michael Sandel and Thomas Piketty dissect how economic elites shaped globalization, why working-class communities felt abandoned, and how progressives can regain trust. // What does equality really mean, and why does it matter now more than ever? Arminio Fraga presents a series of conversations between world-renowned economist Thomas Piketty and philosopher Michael Sandel about the roots of economic and social inequality. They explore how globalization, meritocracy, and capitalism have shaped our world—and what we can do to create a fairer future. Inspired by their new book, Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters, this series challenges conventional wisdom and offers bold solutions. https://www.amazon.com/Equality-What-Means-Why-Matters/dp/1509565507 In this compelling dialogue, two of the world's most influential thinkers reflect on the value of equality and debate what citizens and governments should do to narrow the gaps that separate us. Ranging across economics, philosophy, history, and current affairs, Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel consider how far we have come in achieving greater equality. At the same time, they confront head-on the extreme divides that remain in wealth, income, power, and status nationally and globally. What can be done at a time of deep political instability and environmental crisis? Piketty and Sandel agree on much: more inclusive investment in health and education, higher progressive taxation, curbing the political power of the rich and the overreach of markets. But how far and how fast can we push? Should we prioritize material or social change? What are the prospects for any change at all with nationalist forces resurgent? How should the left relate to values like patriotism and local solidarity where they collide with the challenges of mass migration and global climate change? To see Piketty and Sandel grapple with these and other problems is to glimpse new possibilities for change and justice but also the stubborn truth that progress towards greater equality never comes quickly or without deep social conflict and political struggle. // Thomas Piketty is Professor of Economics at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales. Michael J. Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University.
YouTube Video VVVwNWhHOHJ0MXoyTUo5YU5WeFkyWGRnLklZdzlPMzZpVW5Z

Globalization, Populism, & the Politics of Resentment

Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel explore how inequality isn’t just about wealth—it’s about dignity. They discuss how economic structures fail to value workers without elite credentials and propose solutions that go beyond redistribution. // What does equality really mean, and why does it matter now more than ever? Arminio Fraga presents a series of conversations between world-renowned economist Thomas Piketty and philosopher Michael Sandel about the roots of economic and social inequality. They explore how globalization, meritocracy, and capitalism have shaped our world—and what we can do to create a fairer future. Inspired by their new book, Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters, this series challenges conventional wisdom and offers bold solutions. https://www.amazon.com/Equality-What-Means-Why-Matters/dp/1509565507 In this compelling dialogue, two of the world's most influential thinkers reflect on the value of equality and debate what citizens and governments should do to narrow the gaps that separate us. Ranging across economics, philosophy, history, and current affairs, Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel consider how far we have come in achieving greater equality. At the same time, they confront head-on the extreme divides that remain in wealth, income, power, and status nationally and globally. What can be done at a time of deep political instability and environmental crisis? Piketty and Sandel agree on much: more inclusive investment in health and education, higher progressive taxation, curbing the political power of the rich and the overreach of markets. But how far and how fast can we push? Should we prioritize material or social change? What are the prospects for any change at all with nationalist forces resurgent? How should the left relate to values like patriotism and local solidarity where they collide with the challenges of mass migration and global climate change? To see Piketty and Sandel grapple with these and other problems is to glimpse new possibilities for change and justice but also the stubborn truth that progress towards greater equality never comes quickly or without deep social conflict and political struggle. // Thomas Piketty is Professor of Economics at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales. Michael J. Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University.
YouTube Video VVVwNWhHOHJ0MXoyTUo5YU5WeFkyWGRnLmJNZy0xcmFvelBB

The Dignity Deficit: Inequality, Work, & Recognition

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From Rob Johnson

Once a month, INET President Rob Johnson shares his recommended reads and finds with the YSI community. 

May 2023

by Rob Johnson The Decline of Morality Amidst the Celebration of the Self with Chris Hedges Chris Hedges speaks to Renovatio editor Safir Ahmed about what fuels our contemporary narcissism

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April 25, 2023 No Comments

April 2023

by Rob Johnson How We Learned to Love “Free” Markets By Rebecca L. Spang | Nobody has ever seen the economy. We can see specific markets, but my local farmers’

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April 5, 2023 No Comments

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Session 5 of YSI's Early Career Researchers Series Speaker: Surbhi Kesar, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London Surbhi Kesar is a development and political economist, who currently works as a Senior Lecturer in Department of Economics at SOAS University of London. Her recent and ongoing work focusses on labour and informal economy and the reproduction of the structure of economic dualism in India with high economic growth, thereby critiquing the imaginary of development-as-capitalist-transition; relation between identities and social exclusion; political economy of crises; a critical engagement with the social reproduction theory; and approaches towards decolonising the field of economics. Her research is embedded in Marxian Political Economy and South-centric critical frameworks of economics. Abstract Despite a high economic growth experienced by the India, a vast majority of its workforce derives livelihoods from the informal economy. In this talk, we reflect on how different strands of literature – both mainstream and critical – have explained the persistence of the informal economy and what role it plays in the process of economic development. Using data from individual and firm level surveys, over the period of high growth, we assess various dynamics of India’s informal economy . We reflect on why India’s experience does not square with the dominant theories and posit an alternative framework, following the works of Kalyan Sanyal, that can help us make sense of the current reality. Building on it, we derive the research agenda on informal economy and post-colonial capitalist development and posit the questions that need answering.
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Presenter: Perry Mehrling
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Gregor Laudage, Armin Haas, Andrei Guter-Sandu, Steffen Murau https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=491050 Discussant: Wolfgang Münchau
YouTube Video VVVFV1N2VkV3YzBhXzFIcHlZN0VsVjF3Lmw2VXFqOEdXQkZr
Day 2 of the 2025 YSI Moneyview Symposium Wolfgang Münchau in conversation with Maria C. Schweinberger
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Money View Symposium 2025 - Day 2 "The Hierarchy of Global Banks in the Global Dollar System" Iván Weigandi | Discussant: Clément Berthou "Chartalism before the gold standard - The contribution of Ferdinando Galiani in the 18th century" Claudio Ferri | Discussant: Alex Howlett "The Nature of Money Should be Explained as Hierarchical" Marián Suchánek, Ján Krchňavý | Discussant: Manuel Valencia
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Money View Symposium 2025, Day 2 Discussion: "Bank Regulation and Liquidity" with Aleksandar Stojanovic and Sam Hummel
YouTube Video VVVFV1N2VkV3YzBhXzFIcHlZN0VsVjF3LjBoM2djNlJ5YzQ0