Is capitalism essentially a system of social inequality, injustice and exploitation, or is it mainly a system of individual freedom and responsibility conducive to economic prosperity?  What system of values is associated with human happiness? What does it mean, for example, to seek equality in legal rights as compared to equality in the distribution of resources? How do political and economic systems differ in their ability to promote the good life, and what role does political economy have in defining what the good life might be?  

The Project aims to explore questions such as these—at the intersection of economics, politics, and ethics, though often falling through the cracks of these specialized academic disciplines—by means of teaching, research, and student inquiry.

The Project is expressly designed to enrich an undergraduate liberal-arts education. Most of our activities are centered upon expanding the opportunities of students who may or may not become specialists in the theory or practice of political economy, but who are looking to broaden their horizons and prepare themselves to think more deeply about the complex world that awaits them.

This commitment has manifested itself in a wide array of activities: We have offered courses, informal reading groups, and student research fellowships, as well as sponsored debates and public programs, student leadership and writing opportunities, and postdoctoral fellowships to young scholars.

Check out the rest of our website for more details.