We are rethinking the conditions for genuine, widespread, and sustainable prosperity.
The Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative forges collaborations across fields to reframe the study of political and economic life. Hard questions are our starting point.
Learn more about the Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative (BESI).
The Latest at BESI
-
Panel: ‘Democratic Backsliding in the United States’
Legal and political scholars contextualize the rapidly infolding constitutional crisis.
-
Camila Gramkow: ‘Public Investment for Climate and Social Goals: An Agenda for Brazil and Latin America’
Gramkow presents a Structuralist economic model that combines three dimensions of sustainable development.
-
BESI Director Paul Pierson Joins KQED’s ‘Forum’ for Discussion on Billionaires in the White House
Are we now a ‘broligarchy’? A record 13 billionaires could end up serving in Trump’s administration.
-
Marion Fourcade: ‘The Ordinal Society’
Technologies of information management transform how we relate to ourselves and to each other.
-
Brian Judge: ‘Democracy in Default’
Since the 1980s, liberal democracies have turned to finance as a way to depoliticize distributive conflict.
-
BESI Director Paul Pierson’s ‘Partisan Nation’ Featured in Opportunity Now
Berkeley Political Economy program director Steven Vogel was also invited to share a book recommendation.
Events Hosted by BESI
April 3, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
820 Social Sciences Building, UC Berkeley Join us as antitrust expert Sandeep Vaheesan explores how the reconstruction of the power industry has impacted energy affordability and reliability and the fight against climate change.Upcoming Events
The Stealth Restructuring of the American Power Industry
The Habitation Society: Creating Sustainable Prosperity
April 9, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
Social Science Matrix, 820 Social Sciences Building, UC Berkeley
You’re invited for this talk with Fred Block on his new book, “The Habitation Society.”
Read More >Designated
Emphasis (DE) in
Political Economy
BESI is proud to support the Designated Emphasis (DE) in Political Economy, through which doctoral students in various disciplines can expand their training in political economy and take classes across UC Berkeley departments.