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What If Economic Growth Is No Longer Possible in the 21st Century?

For decades, rapid economic growth has been the norm for developed countries. An educated workforce, a large population boom, major technological advances, and abundant fossil fuels were the key components of growth, generating substantial and broadly distributed increases in standards of living in many countries. We have grown so used to such growth that we inevitably view it as a panacea for a host of economic ills, whether it's a deep recession or income inequality.

We now understand, however, that the postwar growth paradigm is not environmentally sustainable.

In the media
Sean McElwee
Lew Daly

Why Not Peg EITC Benefits to the Local Cost of Living?

It's no secret that the cost of living varies widely across different parts of the United States, and that it can be much tougher to make ends meet on a low wage job in Manhattan, New York than in Manhattan, Kansas. So here's an obvious idea: Let's improve the Earned Income Tax Credit so that its benefits track with local needs. 

With President Obama proposing an increase to the EITC in his new budget, now's a good moment to look at ways this crucial lifeline for low-income households could work better. 

Blog
David Callahan

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy that "College Isn't for Everyone"

At worst, this argument can be paternalistic and classist; at best, it misses the forest for the trees. 

Blog
Mark Huelsman

Scalia’s Looming Fiasco: Obscure New SCOTUS Case May Be Worse Than Citizens United

Sometime in the next three months – perhaps as early as next week – the Supreme Court will issue its next big campaign finance decision, a ruling that reformers worry will further open floodgates of one-percenter campaign cash. The case, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, concerns a challenge by the RNC and conservative CEO Shaun McCutcheon to the federal laws restricting how much one person can donate to candidates and party committees each cycle.

In the media
Josh Eidelson

The Big Long-Term Budget Squeeze. And What To Do About It

Two trends threaten to dominate government spending for decades to come -- and slowly eviscerate the public sector as a dynamic agent for solving problems. 

Blog
David Callahan

States Shrink and Shift Higher Education Costs to Families

As the nation’s trillion-dollar student debt continues to rise, a new analysis of public higher education’s funding finds dwindling state support is the key factor driving rising tuition costs and deepening student debt. According to Demos, a public policy organization advocating economic opportunity and inclusive democracy, over the last two decades state support for higher education funding shifted to a new paradigm.

In the media
Charlene Crowell

Voting Rights Groups Applaud District Court’s Decision In Public Assistance Voter Registration Case

BOSTON, MA — On Friday, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a series of rulings in Delgado v. Galvin, rejecting defendants' efforts to dismiss parts of the case, adding MassHealth as a defendant, and broadening the inquiry into the statewide failure of Massachusetts public assistance offices to provide federally required voter registration services to the Commonwealth's low-income citizens.

Read the Court's rulings: http://demos.io/1lId2f5

Press release/statement

8 Sneaky Racial Code Words and Why Politicians Love Them

When Paul Ryan talked about a "real culture problem" in "our inner cities in particular"this week, he wasn't the first American politician to be slammed for using racially coded language to get a point across. Far from it.

In the media
Jenee Desmond-Harris

Yes, Government Can Take on Cheating Employers: By Going After Their Brand

It's all well and good that President Obama announced yesterday that his administration would crack down on the repugnant practice by employers of calling all sorts of front-line workers "managers" so they can evade overtime laws. Workers are being systematically cheated out of billions of dollars in pay and it's great that we have a president who wants to do something about that, and make good on the hallowed ideal of the 40 hour work week, one of the central pillars of labor law. 
 
But let's not kid ourselves.
Blog
David Callahan