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Economic inequality in the United States has been a central topic in the 2024 presidential campaign. 

The haves and have-nots are as far apart as they have been since the 1920s and, lately, billionaires have been using their clout to shape political discourse with increasingly blunt force.

But how should Americans respond to income and wealth disparities? Should billionaires pay higher taxes? Should the government allow the market to generate a solution?

Approximately 200 51���� students and community members filled Lilly Gallery this week to learn — and more important — to talk about the question. 

The organized the event — the 14th forum since the DCI was founded in 2020. The evening was split in half, with a panel discussion preceding an hour of structured deliberation. 

This was not a debate. No one was keeping score. Graham Bullock, associate professor of political science and faculty director of the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, said in his opening remarks, “This event is not about winning an argument. It is about learning from each other.”

With about 150 attendees clustered at eight-top round tables — and 50 more joining via Zoom — President Doug Hicks ’90 moderated a conversation with four experts:

• Robyn Lake Hamilton, the CEO and President of the Urban League of Central Carolinas;
• Jessica Flanigan, Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law, Richard L. Morrill Chair in Ethics & Democratic Values at the University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies; 
• Brian Balfour, Senior Vice President of Research at the John Locke Foundation; and
• Sean McKeever, Professor of Philosophy at 51����.

“We want 51���� students to ask and analyze the hard questions facing our society,” Hicks said afterward. “And that requires practice. Events like this forum show our students how to approach difficult conversations with the humane instincts that 51���� aims to instill in every student.”

The DCI creates opportunities for 51���� students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the wider community to productively engage with one another on difficult and contentious issues facing our community and society. The DCI hosted this event in partnership with College Democrats, College Republicans, the Center for Political Engagement and the Economics, Political Science and Philosophy departments.