Carl Riskin, Distinguished Professor of Economics
Queens College, City University of New York

Carl Riskin received his B.A. from Harvard College and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He taught at Columbia University before going to Queens College. His research interests include the modern economic history of China, the economics of development and environmental economics. In recent years, he has focused on contemporary social development problems in China, including poverty reduction and the growth of income inequality. In addition to his academic work, he has consulted for the United Nations Development Programme in China and elsewhere.

“The Future of Inequality in China”

In two decades, China has gone from a relatively egalitarian country to one of the most unequal in its region. In his lecture, “The Future of Inequality in China,” Dr. Riskin will address how China has recently shown signs of curtailing its “retreat from equality” and adopting a more balanced model of development. He will address the impediments to implementing such a change and the uncertainties with the current sharp global recession.

About the Center for Asian Studies

Comprised of more than 40 interdisciplinary UC Irvine faculty members who study China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia, the Center for Asian Studies was established to enhance the study of the many countries and cultures of Asia. The Center provides a forum for discussions across geographic and disciplinary boundries both on campus and throughout the community.