Margaret Levi: Political Scientist, Author, & Professor at Stanford University

Welcome back to RadicalxChange(s), and happy 2024!

In our first episode of the year, Matt speaks with Margaret Levi, distinguished political scientist, author, and professor at Stanford University. They delve into Margaret and her team’s groundbreaking work of reimagining property rights. The captivating discussion revolves around their approach's key principles: emphasizing well-being, holistic sustainability encompassing culture and biodiversity, and striving for equality.

RadicalxChange has been working with Margaret Levi and her team at Stanford, together with Dark Matter Labs, on exploring and reimagining the institutions of ownership.

This episode is part of a short series exploring the theme of What and How We Own: Building a Politics of Change.

Tune in as they explore these transformative ideas shaping our societal structures.

Read more in our newsletter What & How We Own: The Politics of Change | Part I.

Links & References: 

References:

• Desiderata: things desired as essential.
• Distributive justice
• Elizabeth Anderson - Relational equality
• Debra Satz - Sustainability
  • What is wrong with inequality?
• Elinor "Lin" Ostrom - Common ownership
  • Ostrom’s Law: Property rights in the commons
• Indigenous models of stewardship
  • Indigenous Peoples: Defending an Environment for All
• Colorado River situation
  • A Breakthrough Deal to Keep the Colorado River From Going Dry, for Now
• How did Aboriginal peoples manage their water resources

Further Reading Recommendations from Margaret:

• A Moral Political Economy: Present, Past and Future (2021) by Federica Carugati and Margaret Levi
• Dædalus (Winter 2023): Creating a New Moral Political Economy | American Academy of Arts and Sciences (Edited by Margaret Levi and Henry Farrell)
• The works of Elizabeth Anderson, including Private Government (2017) and What Is the Point of Equality? (excerpt from Ethics (1999))
• Justice by Means of Democracy (2023) by Danielle Allen
• Katharina Pistor

Bios:

Margaret Levi is Professor of Political Scienc