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.
CALL FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS – FALL 2026
We are hiring six Research Assistants for the Fall 2026 semester (10 hours/week). These positions are open to all current NSSR students across departments.
Three positions are available for our project “Towards a New Democratic Political Economy (link),” which brings together scholars and policymakers working on new approaches to political economy, industrial policy, inequality, labor markets, and democratic governance.
Three additional positions are available for our project “State-Business Relations in Authoritarian Regimes (link),” which examines the evolving relationships between states, firms, and economic elites across authoritarian contexts. Preference will be given to applicants with language skills in Turkish, Hungarian, or Hindi.
Research assistants will support faculty and researchers affiliated with the Center with tasks including literature reviews, data collection, research assistance, event support, and project coordination. Students interested in political economy, development, international affairs, public policy, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
📅 Application deadline: June 15, 2026
👉 Link to apply for the Towards a New Democratic Political Economy positions (3 positions)
👉 Link to apply for the State-Business Relations in Authoritarian Regimes positions (Hungarian, Turkish, Hindi)
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.
Launch of Two New Research Programs
The Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies is launching two major research initiatives for the 2025–26 academic year:
- Towards a New Democratic Political Economy (see webpage)
- U.S.–China–India Economic Relations (see webpage)
These programs reflect our commitment to advancing critical scholarship on the structures and dynamics of capitalism in a rapidly changing global context. Each initiative will convene faculty, graduate students, and international collaborators to generate new research. Full details can be found in the press releases linked below:
Research projects >>>
People
