APSA Task Force on Inequality and American Democracy

Over the past three decades, there have been dramatic increases in socioeconomic inequalities of many kinds -- in education, health, family structure, political participation, and much else. How have these changes affected patterns of democratic participation and governance in the United States? In turn, how have government policies and programs influenced inequalities along various dimensions?

To reflect on questions like these, Theda Skocpol of Harvard University has organized a task force on inequality and American democracy with endorsement from the American Political Science Association (APSA). The task force will focus on researching the political and governmental consequences of rising socioeconomic disparities, and will be divided into three working groups. One group will examine trends and patterns in American public opinion about inequalities, and the impact of economic and societal changes on patterns of political participation. Another group will consider how inequality in political participation and organized voice affect the actual workings of government. The third group will reflect on how policy outputs of government influence political participation, income distribution, racial disparities in voting and incarceration, and the formation of civic organizations. The task force will convene on a regular basis and produce reports and articles for public dissemination.

Reports and Publications

• Jacobs, Lawrence and Theda Skocpol, eds. Inequality and American Democracy: What We Know and What We Need to Learn. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2007