The Price of Inequality

How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future

By: Joseph E. Stiglitz

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The top 1 percent of Americans control 40 percent of the nation's wealth. And, as Joseph E. Stiglitz explains, while those at the top enjoy the best health care, education, and benefits of wealth, they fail to realize that "their fate is bound up with how the other 99 percent live."

Stiglitz draws on his deep understanding of economics to show that growing inequality is not inevitable: moneyed interests compound their wealth by stifling true, dynamic capitalism. They have made America the most unequal advanced industrial country while crippling growth, trampling on the rule of law, and undermining democracy. The result: a divided society that cannot tackle its most pressing problems. With characteristic insight, Stiglitz examines our current state, then teases out its implications for democracy, for monetary and budgetary policy, and for globalization. He closes with a plan for a more just and prosperous future.

©2012 Joseph E. Stiglitz (P)2012 Tantor

Wow a real eye opener

Always leaned center right but Damn this is a mess we must fix both parties should be ashamed

The Price of Equality

Outrageously important and enlightening! This is a critical analysis of America's unequal economic and political structures.

Too dense for an audiobook

This book remains a very important analysis of the economic malfeasance of the US banking sector and the failure of oversight by government. It is tough going because Stiglitz is writing for an informed audience and expects his readers to keep up. He comes across as partisan but doles out equal blame onto the Reagan, Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations -- the last one for its utter failure in the banks bail-out in 2008. He is equally critical of the Federal Reserve with its preference for large corporate and financial institutions rather than people.
Everyone should read this, and Americans should vote Sanders as the best chance of getting any of it implemented.

Well researched . . . well presented

I never studied economics - and was not aware of most of the content of this book. It is "heavy" and important to be aware . . . especially in this election year!! Heads up - Americans - "read" this and go to the polls!!! (and make sure your friends do too!)

Great!

This is an outstanding explanation of the changes that have been occurring in the US, resulting in a widening gap between the very wealthy and the rest of us. Stiglitz spares neither Republicans or Democrats in explaining how our whole system has been increasingly overtaken by moneyed interests, and accordingly warped to serve their interests. If you are interested in the fate of our democracy and are concerned about the direction of the country, especially in the last couple of decades, this is a must read!

Thorough analysis, easy to follow

This is a critical analysis of the problems with our nation's economy and government, showing how both the free market and the government controls are failing the Vast majority of Americans (and because of globalization, many in other countries). Its conclusions are probably only obvious to US liberals, but as one I got a lot of great sources of studies to support that position.
It is biased, of course, but he also points out a lot that I think the Right would agree with - that rent seeking behavior, and policies that support it, are huge burdens on our economy. The conclusion of the need for eliminating rent seeking by taxation on those practices and closing loopholes in our tax code is probably not universal, but it's sound and he supports it well. Maybe audiobooks omit citations because of narrative flow, but I would have liked more links to specific studies.

learn why the American dream is disappearing!

Never knew the taxpayers subsided so many businesses. But I have little hope of it getting better in my lifetime .

Gave it several hours worth of listening

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would have enjoyed this better if the author discussed the impact on the lower class from a socio-economic standpoint vs. economic only.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The bullet points presented were very one sided, I understand where the author is coming from and sympathize with many of the points but I was looking for more of a non-skewed presentation versus opinion.

Amazing to try new economic models

I have yet to pass through the 1st chapter and yet, I think is one of the best books to construct history, that will later become inputs to discuss with broader knowledge of one of the most respected professors at Columbia University!

simplifying the mess we're in

The author provided evidence and personal and professional experience to make several cases dealing with the state of American society as it currently, or recently, stands.