UC Press Blog

By Ruben J. Garcia, author of Critical Wage Theory: Why Wage Justice Is Racial JusticeRaising the federal minimum wage is not a front burner issue in the U.S. presidential election campaign. Other important issues such as the war in Gaza, the trials of former President Donald Trump, or the futur

In this eye-opening book, renowned economist Alex Edmans teaches us how to separate fact from fiction. Using colorful examples—from a wellness guru’s tragic but fabricated backstory to the blunders that led to the Deepwater Horizon disaster to the diet that ensnared millions yet hastened its founder

by James Byard/WUSTL PhotosIt’s comforting to think that we can be successful because we work hard, climb ladders, and get what we deserve, but each of us has been profoundly touched by randomness. Chance is shown to play a crucial role in shaping outcomes across history, throughout the natural

American households have a debt problem. The problem is not, as often claimed, that Americans recklessly take on too much debt. The problem is that US debt policies have no basis in reality. Weaving together the histories and trends of US debt policy with her own family story, Chrystin Ondersma debu

In recent years, dreams about our technological future have soured as digital platforms have undermined privacy, eroded labor rights, and weakened democratic discourse. In light of the negative consequences of innovation, some blame harmful algorithms or greedy CEOs. Behind the Startup focuses inste

Busting the Bankers' Club is an eye-opening account of the failures of our financial system, the sources of its staying power, and the path to meaningful economic reform.Bankers brought the global economic system to its knees in 2007 and nearly did the same in 2020. Both times, the US govern

By Richard Holden, author Money in the Twenty-First Century: Cheap, Mobile, and DigitalIn my new book Money in the Twenty-First Century, I put money in historical context to explain why it matters and what is changing. The following excerpt from the introduction of the book, argues that money as

By Katherine Newman and Elisabeth Jacobs, co-authors of Moving the Needle: What Tight Labor Markets Do for the PoorFor nearly half a century, scholars and policymakers alike have pointed to the devasting impact of joblessness for individuals, families, and communities. William Julius Wilson’s cl

By Neil Lee, author of Innovation for the Masses: How to Share the Benefits of the High-Tech EconomyI grew up in Oxford, England, sometimes called the City of Dreaming Spires and a place known for science and innovation. Most people see the city as a place of great economic success, but I’m not

By Sarah Federman, author of Transformative Negotiation: Strategies for Everyday Change and Equitable FuturesWhen people hear “negotiation,” many imagine a boardroom or maybe a diplomatic forum. Or perhaps their recent attempt for a raise or home purchase. Negotiating well, however, affects our