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Special Project

Rethinking Political Economy

Rethinking Political Economy begins with a world in crisis—after forty years of market fundamentalism—and asks how we build a new one. We debate new ways to think about protecting the planet, the relationship of equality and democracy, the need for racially inclusive prosperity, the promise of industrial policy, the dangers of concentrated economic power, and a revival of investment in public goods.

Generously supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

We are pleased to announce a new Boston Review series, Rethinking Political Economy. Picking up where Democracy’s Promise left off, this new effort begins with a world in crisis and asks how we build a new one.

The starting point is to reject market fundamentalism. The dominant framework of politics and policy for forty years, market fundamentalism is defined by a narrowly individualistic picture of society, an untenable separation of states and markets, a limited sense of political possibilities, and a lack of confidence in the capacity of democracy to address public problems. In the United States, its failures are manifest in environmental catastrophe, shameful income and wealth inequality, racial injustice, failing public health infrastructure, and populist degradation of democracy.

Rethinking Political Economy will provide space for advancing alternatives in theory, politics, and policy. We will debate new ways to think about protecting the planet, the relationship of equality and democracy, the need for racially inclusive prosperity, the promise of industrial policy, the dangers of concentrated economic power, and a revival of investment in public goods.

We do not promise a new synthesis. But we do expect Rethinking Political Economy to help reorient public discussion away from market fundamentalism and toward an egalitarian, democratic sense of the common good.

Is there anything left to anti-imperial visions of global commerce?

Kate Yoon

Biden’s industrial policy program promises a massive shift from decades of neoliberal orthodoxy. Can it deliver inclusive gains in time?

K. Sabeel Rahman

The post-work movement reckons with reproductive labor.

Rachel Fraser

Janice Fine explains how “co-enforcement”—a bold new model for upholding labor law—is linking the state to social movements.

Janice Fine, Mark Engler, Paul Engler
Andrew Schrank

Instead of pouring public funds into private industry—as the United States did with COVID-19 vaccines—we must build public capacity and prioritize public objectives.

Amy Kapczynski, Christopher Morten, Reshma Ramachandran

Far from spelling the end of anti-market politics, basic income proposals are one place where it can and has flourished.

Simon Torracinta

Tax breaks for investors don’t help poor communities.

Timothy Weaver

Workers will benefit from technology when they control how it’s used.

Brishen Rogers

Financial Times commentator Martin Wolf says "it's the economy, stupid." The truth is more complicated.

Pranab Bardhan

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Use code DISSENT when you purchase a print BR membership. Offer ends March 31.