The coronavirus recession and economic inequality: A roadmap to recovery and long-term structural change (opens in a new tab)
Issue Briefs APR 16, 2020
By: Heather Boushey, Somin Park
The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent recession exposed deep fragilities in the economy, one rife with historically high levels of economic inequality, structural racial inequities, and a porous social safety net. These fragilities continue to exacerbate the economic insecurities caused by decades of declining public investment in infrastructure and people.
That underinvestment perpetuates widespread systemic racism and gender inequities, and leaves the United States unprepared to meet the needs of millions of families and workers. In contrast, the top end of the income and wealth distribution are well-prepared to withstand economic shocks while maintaining and growing their financial assets, and inequality remains even more pronounced.
The U.S. economy isn’t an abstract system—it’s a direct result of the choices that policymakers make. The tools exist to support strong, stable, and broadly shared growth while addressing underlying structural issues, including racial and gender inequities, climate change, and the need for 21st century care infrastructure.
A growing body of research provides a framework for how the federal government can make choices to fully support workers, families, and businesses. The Washington Center for Equitable Growth is producing resources to connect the policymaking community with the most cutting-edge evidence to create a path for an equitable economy.
Issue Briefs APR 16, 2020
By: Heather Boushey, Somin Park
Issue Briefs JUN 30, 2022
By: Michelle Holder, Shaun Harrison
Blog APR 1, 2022
By: Carmen Sanchez Cumming, Kathryn Zickuhr
Blog MAR 11, 2022
By: Michelle Holder
Blog MAR 4, 2022
By: Carmen Sanchez Cumming, Kathryn Zickuhr
Blog MAR 1, 2022
By: Carmen Sanchez Cumming, Raksha Kopparam, Maryam Janani-Flores
Issue Briefs FEB 9, 2022
By: Neil Thakral, Linh Tô
Issue Briefs NOV 24, 2021
By: Maryam Janani-Flores, David S. Mitchell
Blog NOV 5, 2021
By: Kathryn Zickuhr, Carmen Sanchez Cumming
Blog OCT 21, 2021
By: Equitable Growth
Blog OCT 8, 2021
By: Carmen Sanchez Cumming, Kathryn Zickuhr
Videos SEP 28, 2021
By: Randall Akee
Videos SEP 27, 2021
By: Marie T. Mora
Videos SEP 23, 2021
By: Michelle Holder
Issue Briefs SEP 22, 2021
By: Robert Lynch
Blog SEP 17, 2021
By: Maryam Janani-Flores, Kate Bahn, Carmen Sanchez Cumming
Blog AUG 31, 2021
Blog AUG 24, 2021
Blog AUG 11, 2021
By: Corey Husak
Blog AUG 6, 2021
By: Kathryn Zickuhr, Carmen Sanchez Cumming
Get updates on our latest research, event announcements, and policy insights delivered straight to your inbox. Stay connected with the leading voices on equitable growth.