The Robert L. Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies
The Robert L. Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies is a hub for interdisciplinary scholarship and applied research on issues relating to contemporary forms of capitalism.
The Center promotes collaborative work between academic disciplines and exchanges between scholars and practitioners. We support public events, working groups, graduate and undergraduate courses, and student and faculty research. We also sponsor annual Visiting Professorships for scholars outside The New School community.
The Center seeks to develop a common language through which the forms and processes of capitalism can be understood, analyzed, reformulated, and reformed — with rigor, with precision, and in a manner that is accessible to the broadest possible audience.
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Bounce: Six Balls, Six Sports and the History of Globalization
William Milberg (The New School) with Thomas Liess (Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies)
Thursday, November 19, 4:00–6:00 PM, Hirshon Suite
Register and view full event details here
Facism, Populism, and Red Pill Politics: Or Why So Many Workers Turn from Left to Right
David Ost
Thusday, December 3, 3:00–4:30 PM, Wolff Conference Room Register and view full event details here
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UPDATE FROM OUR RESEARCH PROGRAM: Working group on china, india and the u.s.
The Robert L. Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies and the India China Institute successfully hosted the second convening of their joint Working Group on China, India, and the United States on October 29–30 at The New School. The two-day gathering brought together leading scholars for working sessions and a public symposium exploring the evolving economic and geopolitical relationships among the three countries. Discussions addressed trade and finance, structural barriers to economic realignment, and challenges of economic development and social insecurity. The event provided an opportunity to share ongoing research, strengthen collaborations, and identify priorities for future work.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants, speakers, discussants, and audience members who contributed to the success of the event. Stay tuned for updates on forthcoming publications emerging from the Working Group’s research!
For those who missed the conference but would like to learn more about the research projects, we invite you to visit our YouTube channel, where interviews recorded in February feature each speaker discussing their research. While the papers have evolved considerably since then, these interviews offer an excellent introduction to the projects, with further insights and findings to be shared through the Working Group’s forthcoming publications.
Meet our new cohort of research assistants and fellows for 2026-2027
𝐀 GLIMPSE INSIDE OUR WORKING GROUP: SHORT CONVERSATIONS ON CHINA, INDIA, AND THE UNITED STATES
In February, we convened our Working Group on China, India, and the United States at The New School to advance a series of research papers examining the evolving relationship between economic security and geopolitical tensions among the world’s three largest economies. During the convening, we recorded a series of short conversations with contributors—quick reflections on the questions driving their research and why these issues matter for the global political economy today. Over the coming weeks, we will be releasing these interviews on a weekly basis. Find the first ones on our YouTube channel.
UPDATE FROM OUR RESEARCH PROGRAM: TOWARDS A NEW DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL ECONOMY CONVENING IN MONTREAL, CANADA
Between April 17 and April 19, we convened the contributors to our 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺 project in Montréal, Canada. The initiative – supported by the Open Society Foundations – brings together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to rethink the relationship between capitalism and democracy in the twenty-first century.
The project is organized around three interconnected areas: theory, policy, and the policy process. It examines the conceptual foundations of political economy and the relationship between markets, states, and democracy; develops concrete policy proposals to address challenges such as inequality, industrial policy, financialization, and the climate transition; and studies how new ideas actually move into the policy arena through institutions, governments, think tanks, and transnational networks.
The Montréal convening gave contributors the opportunity to present draft papers, exchange across these streams, and refine the broader research agenda. One of the most productive aspects of the discussions was the interaction between theory and practice: theoretical frameworks informed policy proposals, while real-world policy experiences helped sharpen the questions theory needs to address. More to come as the project continues to develop…
INTRODUCING THE HEILBRONER CENTER FOR CAPITALISM STUDIES 2026
Widespread interest in the future of capitalism and its implications for democracy and global politics have brought an exciting group of scholars to the Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies, from senior scholars to graduate student fellows and research assistants.
To learn more about the scholars featured here, we invite you to explore the “People” tab or the pages dedicated to our various “Research Projects“, where you will find short bios highlighting their backgrounds, research interests, and current work.
We are proud of the community we are creating and pleased to introduce you to the expansive world of capitalism studies based at The New School. It is going to be an exciting and productive year at the Heilbroner Center.
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People
