The Meaning and Impact of Inequality
Co-Sponsored by the UNC-CH Parr Center for Ethics and the Duke-UNC Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program
March 7, 2015
Inequality is a global problem. Wealthy countries account for only 16% of the world’s population and yet generate more than half of global income. Meanwhile, 75% of the world’s population creates just over 1%. Such global disparities, though growing astronomically, are not new. What is new to many Americans is the specter of inequality in this land of opportunity. With the income of the top 1% of Americans growing by nearly 300% between the years 1979-2013 compared to rates as low as 18% for the bottom fifth of the American population, the middle-class American Dream seems more and more unobtainable for many. What does inequality mean in a capitalistic democracy? Is it a natural function of a free society, or is there something fundamentally flawed in our political and economic system? This seminar will challenge participants to engage with the reasons and meaning of inequality in our world and country from the perspectives of philosophy, economics, and political science.
Topics & Speakers
Equality and Social Justice: A Hayekian Perspective
Georg Vanberg, Professor of Political Science, Duke University
Equality of Opportunity—A Philosophical Inquiry into Values
Barry J. Maguire, Research Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Markets, Equality, and Democratic Citizenship
Jeff Spinner-Halev, Kenan Eminent Professor of Political Ethics, Political Science
Inequality: Where’s It Going?
Geoffrey Brennan, Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy, Co-Director, Joint Duke-UNC Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program
The Virtues and Vices of Inequality
A panel discussion with our speakers
Time & Cost
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015. The tuition is $125 ($110 by January 22). Tuition for teachers is $62.50 ($55 by January 22). Teachers can also receive a $75 stipend after attending (click here for more information) and 10 contact hours for 1 unit of renewal credit. The optional lunch is $15.00.
For information about lodging click here.
Co-Sponsored by the General Alumni Association.
For information about GAA discounts and other scholarships available to Humanities Program participants, click here.