Global Economy
The Global Economy Program provides research, communications, and networking support to dynamic economic justice movements in the United States and around the world.
Our goal: to speed the transition to an equitable and sustainable economy while reversing today’s extreme levels of economic and racial inequality and excessive corporate and Wall Street power.
The program collaborates with a broader IPS team to produce Inequality.org and a related weekly newsletter that highlights the latest data and sharpest strategies to reverse extreme inequality in the United States and around the world. In addition, the program has deep expertise in these interrelated areas:
Labor
IPS works closely with movement groups to produce research, op-eds, and policy options for empowering workers and improving wages and working conditions, particularly for those who’ve historically been excluded from basic labor protections. The IPS Black Worker Initiative has a particular focus on helping to expand opportunities for Black worker organizing, particularly by building community support for labor rights campaigns in the U.S. south.
CEO Pay
IPS is one of the country’s leading resources on the problem of extreme CEO-worker pay gaps and how these divides undermine economic fairness and business effectiveness. For more than two decades, our annual “Executive Excess” report series has drawn extensive media coverage to the CEO pay problem and practical solutions.
Trade, Investment, and Mining
The program works with grassroots activists around the world to advance alternative international trade and investment policies that elevate environmental, human, and labor rights above narrow corporate interests. In recent years program staff have played a lead role in supporting grassroots campaigns in Latin America against global mining corporations’ attempts to steamroll local resistance to harmful extractives projects.
Wall Street and Global Finance
IPS staff support coalitions working to restore the financial sector to its proper purpose of serving the real economy. We track the reckless Wall Street bonus culture and advance innovative reforms to rein in financial executive pay and curb short-term speculation through financial transactions taxes.
Latest Work
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Reports
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Economic Justice
America’s 20 Largest Low-Wage Employers and the Affordability Crisis
Low wages are a key driver of the affordability crisis. These 20 firms pay poverty wages while enriching CEOs.
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Economic Justice
The Public Postal Service and Rural America
USPS delivers countless benefits to rural communities — benefits that would be at risk if for-profit corporations take over this public service.
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Climate Justice, Economic Justice
The G20 at a Crossroads
An independent assessment of the G20’s impact — and lessons for an equitable economic future.
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Economic Justice
Executive Excess 2025
CEO pay and stock buybacks have soared at the 100 largest low-wage corporations.
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Economic Justice
Amazon and Our Rigged Tax System
The stakes in the tax debate for the corporation and its executives vs. workers and small businesses.
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Economic Justice
Who Would Pay the Biggest Price for Postal Privatization?
102 million Americans in suburbs, small towns, and remote areas already pay more for private package delivery.
Global Economy in the news
MGM lands spot in report on S&P 500 ‘low-wage 20’ firms
The corporate conspiracy of silence on "affordability"
Millions Of American Workers Accepting Public Assistance To Make Ends Meet
Report: These 20 companies are paying poverty wages
Workers at top 20 US low-wage firms rely on public assistance, report says
Books on Global Economy
Help IPS turn progressive policy ideas into action
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