Next Social Contract Initiative

The American Social Contract

Michael Lind and David McNamee outline the five elements that make up the American social contract: economic liberty, economic access, economic ability, economic adequacy, and economic security.

Unequal and Unstable

Anant Thaker and Elizabeth Williamson argue that it is no coincidence that the history of the past century reveals a striking correlation between income inequality and financial crises.

Inequality, Wages and Financial Crises

Sam Sherraden explores recent findings on the connections between inequality, unemployment, and financial instability and discusses the implications for the global economy going forward.

The Way Forward

Daniel Alpert, Robert Hockett, and Nouriel Roubini explain how to reorient the United States from the post-bubble, post-bust economy to renewed growth and competitiveness.

What Kind of Capitalist is Romney?

In this piece for CNN.com, Michael Lind explores the difference between 'shareholder capitalism' and 'stakeholder capitalism' in the wake of GOP disagreement about Mitt Romney's time at Bain Capital.

Policy Papers

Economic Security Through Employment Assurance

January 27, 2012

The Progressive Case for Corporate Tax Reform

January 26, 2012

Unequal and Unstable

January 11, 2012

The Way Forward

October 10, 2011

Losing Middle America?

Lauren Damme

September 15, 2011

In the News

Cover Story: Drones Close to Home | Rochester City Newspaper

Michael Lind

January 17, 2012

Corporate Values and the Presidential Election | Energybiz

Michael Lind

January 15, 2012

Obama Orders End To “Long War” Doctrine | The Nation

Michael Lind

January 13, 2012

Capitalism In Crisis: Caught Between Apathy And Anger | Financial Times

Michael Lind

January 13, 2012

Christopher Hitchens, Book Critic | The New York Times

Michael Lind

December 16, 2011

Articles and Op-Eds

What Kind of Capitalist Is Romney?

January 13 | CNN

Michael Lind

The Cost of Free Trade

December 01 | The American Prospect

Michael Lind

ROOM FOR DEBATE: Does Congress Hear the Occupiers?

November 16 | The New York Times

Michael Lind

A World Without 9/11: No President Obama, More China Trouble, Same Debt Crisis

September 09 | The Washington Post

Michael Lind

The Intellectual Collapse of Left and Right

August 23 | Financial Times

Michael Lind

Transcripts and Resources

Government Spending Through the Tax Code Is Invisible and Regressive

Daniel Mandel

August 3, 2011

Laura D’Andrea Tyson on Infrastructure and the State of the U.S. Economy

Laura Tyson

June 23, 2010

What Will Replace The American Consumer?

Sherle R. Schwenninger

Samuel Sherraden

November 2, 2009

America's Debt Overhang

Samuel Sherraden

Sherle R. Schwenninger

October 19, 2009

About the Project

In light of the dramatic ongoing technological and economic changes in the world, the United States requires more than incremental reforms. The purpose of the Next Social Contract Initiative is to fundamentally rethink our inherited social contract, the system of institutions and policies designed to empower and support citizens from childhood and work through retirement. Inspired by the premise that economic security and opportunity are mutually reinforcing, a new social contract should foster innovation and entrepreneurship, encourage long-term growth and broadly shared prosperity, and engage individuals and families not only as participants in the economy but also as citizens.