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Claudia Goldin, Henry Lee Professor of Economics, and Lawrence Katz, Elisabeth Allison Professor of Economics, both at Harvard University, speak about their new book. The Race between Education and Technology is a careful historical analysis of the co-evolution of educational attainment in the United States through the 20th century. The book argues that technology change and education have been involved in a kind of race causing America to grow apart. During the first eight decades of the 20th century, the increase of educated workers was higher than the demand for them. This had the effect of boosting income for most people and lowering inequality. However, the reverse has been true since about 1980. This educational slow-down was accompanied by rising inequality. The authors discuss the reasons for this and what might be done to ameliorate it.

Kathleen McCartney, Dean and Gerald S. Lesser Professor in Early Childhood Development, provides an introduction.