Contradiction in Capitalism

Capital in the 21st Century coverIt’s not often that a 700-page treatise on economic theory sells out on Amazon and hits No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list. But Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century, termed “one of the watershed books in economic thinking” by a former World Bank economist, has not only sold hundreds of thousands of copies but has sparked a heated global conversation on the origins and effects of wealth inequality. On Thursday, April 23, members of this community have an opportunity to join the conversation when Clark College hosts a panel discussion of the book.

The event, which takes place at 6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium on Clark’s main campus, is free and open to the public. An opening reception will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Four Clark College faculty members with expertise related to Piketty’s work will participate in the discussion, which will cover both Piketty’s methodology as well as his central thesis: Unfettered capitalism necessarily leads to increasing wealth inequality, which in turn leads to social and economic instability.

”It’s a very relevant topic and Piketty’s book has stirred a great deal of debate both in the U.S. and internationally,” said Patricia Atkinson, a Clark College economics instructor who helped organize the event and will serve as the discussion’s moderator. “The rise of wealth and income disparity warrants an in-depth conversation at Clark College.”

Panelists are:

  • Sociology professor Dr. Carlos Castro, Ph.D. in sociology from University of Oregon
  • Economics professor emeritus John Fite, M.A. in economics from Georgetown University
  • Economics instructor Dr. Shon Kraley, Ph.D. in economics from the University of Washington

Cannell Library and the Clark College Bookstore have both stocked copies of the book in advance of the event.

Directions and maps are available online. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at or (VP). The DSS office is located in room 013 in Clark’s Penguin Union Building.