Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism

Life expectancy has fallen in the United States for three years straight, and economics professors Anne Case and Angus Deaton suspect social and economic forces cause “deaths of despair” from suicide, drug overdose, and alcoholism. Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism (Princeton University Press) is a nuanced portrait of the American working class increasingly demoralized by the failures of capitalism and provides prescriptive next steps.

Paw in print

Image
The October 2025 cover of PAW, featuring an illustration of a woman dressed like Superman, but the S on her chest is a dollar sign.
The Latest Issue

October 2025

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott ’92; President Eisgruber ’83 defends higher ed; Julia Ioffe ’05 explains Russia.