In the Shadow of Economic Fragility

Not since the Great Depression of the 1930s has the United States faced such a prolonged period of instability in the job market. Recovery from the Great Recession that began in 2008 has been slow and is projected to remain sluggish over the next several years, and the new jobs that are being created pay lower wages and offer fewer benefits than the ones that were lost.

An increasing number of American families are no longer adequately supported by employment income and basic benefits. Older workers are retiring before they are ready, and many young workers cannot find a foothold in the job market. A silent crisis is underway, with huge social and economic costs for the nation.

In Working and Living in the Shadow of Economic Fragility,prominent scholars of economic and social policy discuss the challenges facing American workers of all stripes in the new economy. With the employment challenges facing the country showing no signs of letting up, the authors bring the crisis of economic instability to the forefront of the policy debate.

New America’s Asset Building Program and Economic Growth Program hosted a conversation to discuss economic inequality, insecurity, and fragility in America. Using the new volume as a starting point, the authors and editors examined the root causes of our economic woes and look toward policy solutions that can improve the lives of working Americans.

Join the conversation online using #EconFragility and following @AssetsNAF and @EconomicGrowth.

Participants

Marion G. Crain Vice Provost and Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis Director, Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Work and Social Capital, Washington University School of Law Co-editor, Working and Living in the Shadow of Economic Fragility

Michael Sherraden Professor, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis Director, Center for Social Development, Washington University in St. Louis Co-editor, Working and Living in the Shadow of Economic Fragility

Heather Boushey Executive Director and Chief Economist, Washington Center for Equitable Growth Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Michael Lind Policy Director, Economic Growth Program, New America Foundation Author, "The Challenge of Creating Good Jobs," in Working and Living in the Shadow of Economic Fragility

Moderator

Reid Cramer Director, Asset Building Program, New America Foundation Co-Editor, The Assets Perspective: The Rise of Asset Building and its Impact on Social Policy