Identity Economics

Identity Economics bridges a critical gap in the social sciences. It brings identity and norms to economics. People’s notions of what is proper, and what is forbidden, and for whom, are fundamental to how hard they work, and how they learn, spend, and save. Thus people’s identity—their conception of who they are, and of who they choose to be—may be the most important factor affecting their economic lives.

The self-help industry is a fraud. You are not exceptional. You can’t have it all. The money won’t follow just because you do what you love. Anyone who tells you something different is lying. Sam LaCrosse’s approach to living a rich and fulfilling life doesn't involve cookie-cutter slogans or self-esteem dogma. The path to a good life lies in discovering and honoring your own core values.

An economist demonstrates how LGBT equality and inclusion within organizations increases their bottom line and allows for countries’ economies to flourish We know that homophobia harms LGBT individuals in many ways, but economist M. V. Lee Badgett argues that in addition to moral and human...