The hottest Economic Inequality Substack posts right now

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Men are lonely, but mothers are losing their minds

Men Yell at Me • 247 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health Gender Issues Reproductive Rights Economic Inequality
  1. The mental health of mothers in America is getting worse, with more parents reporting feelings of anxiety and depression. Many factors contribute to this, like rising costs of living and cuts to support programs.
  2. While there is a lot of focus on the struggles faced by men, especially younger ones, it's important to remember that women, especially mothers and teen girls, are also facing serious mental health challenges.
  3. There's a noticeable push to benefit men politically and socially, but this could overshadow the struggles of women, who are experiencing their own hardships in the workplace and at home.

It Costs A Lot To Look This Poor

Total Rec • 12102 implied HN points • 18 May 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Luxury Fashion Fashion Industry Social Commentary Consumer behavior Economic Inequality
  1. Luxury fashion often comes with hefty price tags, blurring the lines between quiet luxury and loud displays of wealth.
  2. The paradox of fashion highlights societal disparities, where expensive clothes are marketed, contributing to economic inequality.
  3. Consumers often aspire to own status symbols, even if it means sacrificing financial security, reflecting societal values and dynamics.

Expensive Cities Aren't Attractive Cities: Follow Up

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 273 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development Economic Inequality Land use Real Estate
  1. Expensive cities are usually not as desirable as people think. They often have high rents and limited growth due to strict building rules.
  2. Increasing the number of homes over time can help lower housing costs, but this process takes years and won't cause quick drops in prices.
  3. Arguments against the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement often rely on unproven claims. In reality, cities that allow more development can remain affordable and vibrant.

An Open Elite?

Life and Letters • 579 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
📚 Literature Social Mobility Authorship Economic Inequality Cultural Studies
  1. Making a living as a writer is really tough nowadays. A few bestsellers make a lot of money, while most authors earn very little.
  2. Social mobility, or the ability to move up the social ladder, has often been very limited in literary history. Many writers come from wealth rather than from lower classes.
  3. Throughout history, there have been moments when more diverse writers entered the literary scene. These periods saw new genres and styles of writing emerge, reflecting changes in society.
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Will the last young professional to leave Britain turn off the lights?

Wrong Side of History • 584 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Social Welfare Immigration Youth Issues Economic Inequality
  1. Housing costs in London are extremely high, making it hard for young professionals to afford living there.
  2. There's a growing concern about social housing being allocated to newcomers, which complicates the housing situation for local residents.
  3. Many young, skilled people are thinking about leaving Britain because they feel the current systems aren't working for them and they aren't getting enough support.

The myth of red states and blue states

Men Yell at Me • 768 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political divide Media influence Cultural Issues Economic Inequality
  1. The idea that America is divided into red states and blue states is a myth. People actually live alongside each other, sharing many common experiences and perspectives.
  2. Wealth plays a big role in political divides. Those who have money can often ignore the struggles faced by others, but most Americans are living in the same realities, dealing with the same issues.
  3. There's no safe place to escape the political mess, and tuning out isn't an option for most. We all have to navigate these challenges together, as one America.

Expensive Cities Aren't Attractive Cities: One Last Word

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 105 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development Economic Inequality City Planning
  1. Expensive cities aren't necessarily better places to live. They often face issues like high housing costs and displacement of lower-income residents.
  2. Geographic inequality is a big problem, with only a few cities offering better opportunities and amenities. Many other cities have the potential to be great but aren't being developed.
  3. To make cities better, we need to focus on building affordable and accessible spaces rather than just following trends of what is currently expensive.

Top Links 590 The mad dash for Biden's climate dollars. How India and China's income distribution compare. The panzootic & getting beyond Confucius.

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Policy Government spending International relations Economic Inequality Environmental Issues
  1. Companies are hurriedly completing the paperwork to get loans from the Department of Energy for climate initiatives. They want to secure funding before deadlines.
  2. There is a comparison between income distribution in India and China, indicating different economic conditions and social structures in these countries.
  3. The concept of a 'panzootic' is discussed, which refers to widespread disease among animal species, and explores ideas beyond traditional Confucian thought.

Watch me Speak at the Workers Strike Back Conference LIVE Now!

The Chris Hedges Report • 147 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Rights Political parties Government Policy Social movements Economic Inequality
  1. Both Republicans and Democrats serve the interests of the rich, not working people. We need to stand up for workers' rights against both parties.
  2. Major billionaires like Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg are harming workers and are anti-union. Their actions show they don’t care about the rights of everyday people.
  3. It's crucial to create a new working-class movement that is independent of the current political parties. This movement should aim for better healthcare, housing, and an end to military funding.

The Housing Shortage by Metro Area

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban planning Economic Inequality Homeownership Real Estate
  1. There's a big housing shortage in many cities, meaning not enough homes are available for everyone who needs one. Building homes could help to lower rising rents and prices.
  2. The real estate market is affected by restrictions on building new homes. If these rules were eased, more homes could be built, which would make housing more affordable.
  3. Investing in new housing could change a lot financially. It could lower the overall value of land but make living situations better for many people, even if it seems risky at first.

The Year Poverty Began To End

¡Do Not Panic! • 864 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Poverty Covid response Economic Inequality Climate Denial
  1. Poverty rates in the richest countries significantly declined from 2020 to 2021, with millions lifted out of poverty.
  2. Government interventions during the pandemic reduced food insecurity and homelessness in countries like the US, UK, and Canada.
  3. The pandemic highlighted how economic structures favor the rich, and how emergency situations can lead to transformative policy responses.

As executive compensation at big automakers soars, so does health care costs for the companies, workers

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
💼 Business Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Labor relations Health Insurance Economic Inequality
  1. CEO pay at big automakers is very high, while worker pay has stayed low, causing frustration among workers. This gap in pay creates issues in labor negotiations and workers' struggles for fair wages.
  2. Healthcare costs for companies like GM are increasing significantly, which takes away funds that could be used for paying workers better. This trend is leading to workers facing higher deductibles and premiums.
  3. Despite the high pay for CEOs, the stock performance of companies is often underwhelming, raising questions about whether these leaders are meeting their performance goals.

Nazi Elves and Cockney Orcs: The Rings of Power, Class and Royalty

The Bigger Picture • 1817 implied HN points • 21 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Class Identity politics Economic Inequality Power Dynamics
  1. We're continuously wrestling with growing wealth inequality in the current era, visible through discussions around society's power dynamics.
  2. Class plays a fundamental role in the cultural polarization, often overshadowed by conversations on identity politics.
  3. Our societal unrest stems from economic realities influencing power dynamics, creating a divide between different classes and leading to cultural tensions.

Build housing in S.F.'s Presidio? It's not as crazy as it sounds.

Urben Field Notes • 48 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development Economic Inequality
  1. Building housing in San Francisco's Presidio is a feasible idea. There is space available that won't harm nature or historic sites.
  2. A new model of social housing could work well in the Presidio. This means creating affordable homes by mixing different income levels in one area.
  3. People should discuss how much new development is right for the Presidio. Finding a balance between more housing and keeping the area beautiful is important.

Sympathy for the Devils

Banana Peel Pirouette • 138 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Society Working Class Media influence Economic Inequality Political Divides
  1. The urban educated liberal class often holds misconceptions and contempt towards the white working class, leading to a lack of understanding and communication between the two groups.
  2. Media consumption, economic challenges, and cultural factors significantly shape the perceptions and beliefs of the white working class, contributing to their political decisions.
  3. Efforts to bridge the gap between urban liberals and the white working class require genuine engagement, empathy, and a willingness to understand their perspectives, even if it means stepping out of comfort zones.

A review of Matt Goodwin’s Values, Voice and Virtue

The Path Not Taken • 374 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Political Ideology Liberalism Social justice Economic Inequality
  1. Matt Goodwin argues about a new elite in Britain conflicting with working classes' values and interests.
  2. The book suffers from vague definitions, failing to engage with key debates and lacking focus.
  3. There's a need for deeper analysis of socio-cultural professionals and progressive ideology to present a more balanced view.

Self-serving bias, ingroup bias, and what the left forgets about bottom-half men

Sex and the State • 16 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Health Policy Economic Inequality Gender Issues
  1. People with college degrees have a much longer life expectancy than those without in cities like Minneapolis, showing a big divide in health outcomes.
  2. The right often blames personal choices for lower life expectancy, while the left points to systemic barriers that make healthy living harder for lower-income individuals.
  3. Medical care and outcomes can be less effective for people of color, as they are underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to safety and effectiveness issues.

Los bancos de EEUU se enriquecieron durante la pandemia de Covid-19, mientras millones murieron

Geopolitical Economy Report • 119 implied HN points • 19 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Economic Inequality Health Crisis Government Response Capitalism Banking Sector
  1. The US banks profited greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic despite millions dying, indicating a stark wealth disparity.
  2. Capitalist oligarchs gained $5 trillion during the pandemic while a vast majority of people suffered financially.
  3. The US government largely neglected its people during the pandemic, resulting in high death tolls and emphasizing the stark individualistic nature of the country's response.

SOCIALISM FOR THEM: 60% of Anthem’s 2021 revenue was subsidized by American taxpayers.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 119 implied HN points • 01 Feb 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Public Policy Insurance Corporate Influence Economic Inequality
  1. Anthem, a major health insurance company, got 60% of its 2021 revenue from taxpayer money. This means a lot of their profits depend on government funding.
  2. While Anthem's profits have soared, many Americans are seeing higher health insurance deductibles and premiums that take up a big part of their budgets.
  3. Most of Anthem's recent growth comes from government programs like Medicaid and Medicare, rather than traditional health plans that people used to buy directly.

What COVID-19 Reveals About the Professional Managerial Class

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 01 Apr 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Labor Rights Economic Inequality Policy response Political Dynamics
  1. The professional-managerial class heavily relies on low-paid workers for their comfort and convenience, often overlooking the harsh conditions these workers face.
  2. Urban elites benefit from and perpetuate inequality through their reliance on vulnerable and desperate people to fulfill their needs, such as domestic workers, delivery drivers, and sex workers.
  3. Individuals have the power to challenge inequality by examining their own behaviors and relationships with 'disposable labor,' inspiring change in their communities and beyond.

Employer-Sponsored Insurance

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare policy Taxation Labor Market Economic Inequality
  1. Employer-sponsored insurance often makes healthcare more expensive and less efficient. It may force people to consume more healthcare than they actually want or need.
  2. The tax benefits for employer-sponsored insurance mostly help higher-income individuals. This system creates a financial burden for the government and doesn't fairly serve those who need help the most.
  3. Employer-sponsored insurance can trap people in their jobs, making it hard for them to retire or pursue better opportunities because they fear losing their health coverage.