This podcast series (released from the archives at the End of History) covers the history of the modern US economy and how economic inequality developed. Put your politics aside for this insightful journey through America’s economy as it grew and altered from era of The Great Depression to the 2008 economic meltdown. This history of economic inequality series predates the Trump era but forecasted a lot of the discontent and frustration that arrived full force in 2016. Economic inequality is not a new phenomenon but historically, every time it has gotten this bad, some shock to the system (war, Great Depression, etc…) has caused a rebalancing.
This original podcast series on the history of economic inequality is available exclusively to our Patreon supporters. Each episode links directly to the Patreon post where the episode can be accessed.
Part 1: Economic Inequality in the Lens of History
Part 2: The Greatest Generation Restores Balance
Part 3: The Greatest Generation Builds An Economic Powerhouse
Part 4: Baby Boomers in Charge
Part 5: Reaganomics and the Decade of Decadence
Part 6: Changes in the Way Americans Worked
Part 8: What the 2008 Meltdown Showed Us
Part 9: Who Are the Top 1% in America
Part 11: Say Goodbye to the American Dream
Part 12: The Normalization of Corruption
Here is a list of recommended reads on the topic of economic inequality. These were some of the sources noted within the podcast series itself.
If you enjoyed this history of economic inequality podcast series you might also enjoy this blog series from JB Shreve & the End of History.
- American Caste System Part 1 – Introduction
- American Caste System Part 2 – Squashing the Middle Class
- American Caste System Part 3 – What It’s Like to Be Poor In America
- American Caste System Part 4 – The Middle Class Is Angry
Also, this older post might be of interest – Recognizing Pictures of Inequality