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The Wolf at the Door: The Menace of Economic Insecurity and How to Fight It

Michael J. Graetz and Ian Shapiro

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Founder connections

  • Edward O. ThorpRecommended for coalition building
    Thorp recommends this book in his 2022 Tim Ferriss interview while discussing how to build coalitions for change. He names Ian Shapiro; the registry also credits coauthor Michael J. Graetz.
    Source

Summary

Michael Graetz and Ian Shapiro argue that economic insecurity needs a political response beyond a debate about inequality alone. They examine threats to steady work, income and access to basic services, and propose changes in areas such as employment, health care and support for families.

The book also asks how reforms can win support. Its historical examples focus on building coalitions around goals that people can share, rather than assuming that a sound policy will produce its own political majority.

  • SourceThe Wolf at the Door: The Menace of Economic Insecurity and How to Fight It — primary source · Author’s book page, description of economic insecurity, policy changes and coalition building; corroborating Columbia author record.
  • SourceColumbia Law School — The Wolf at the Door · Title, authors Michael J. Graetz and Ian Shapiro, 2020 publication and book description.

Why read it Our view

Read the coalition argument when a change requires support from groups with different interests. Identify a concrete shared goal, the people who can help reach it, and the tradeoffs they face. Treat the policy proposals as the authors’ case to assess, not as a direct plan for running a firm.