Hourglass Economy National Conference

Economic Inequality and the Hourglass Economy:
The Decline of the Middle Class—The End of the American Dream?

	Overview
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	Purpose

	Since the early 1970s, social scientists have been wrestling with the need to factually determine and then understand the cultural and economic jigsaw being produced by increasing economic inequality. To date primary emphasis has been placed on identifying and describing the “what” of this change—its character, magnitude, and pace of change. Our knowledge of economic inequality has gone through several iterations: first, the rise of extreme inequality; then the bifurcation of inequality into the “have’s” and “the have much lesses;” third, evidence of the morphing of the shape of the economy into that of an hourglass, with a shrinking middle class; and, most recently, further evidence that occupational growth in the foreseeable future will continue to feed the hourglass economy. This conference is intended as a policy-oriented step forward that continues to monitor the changing shape, character and pace of change in the economy while also moving ahead in interpreting the causes, consequences, and policy implications of these changes. The conference format is designed to be a blending of conference and workshop. The purpose of the conference is not to bring together an “audience” to listen to the presenters, but rather, to have a dynamic and interactive set of conversations among informed participants working in or, in some other way, actively involved in issues bearing on economic inequality and the hourglass economy. We will hold a dialogue with each other and the paper presenters to further the goals of the conference. The conference format (roundtable reaction/discussions and reaction tapes) is designed to tap into the wealth of experience and ideas from both the participants and presenters.

Dr. John Koval
Egan Urban Center, DePaul University
990 W. Fullerton Ave., Suite 3100
Chicago, IL 60614

Phone: (773) 325-4434
Fax : (773) 325-4923
E-mail: jkoval@depaul.edu