THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AGING IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE INFLUENCE OF CARROLL ESTES’ SCHOLARSHIP IN SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY

Abstract

The Political Economy of Aging is a “systematic view” that assumes old age can be “understood only in the context of social conditions and issues of the larger social order.” The quote is from Dr. Carroll Estes, a pioneer and public sociologist of the political economy of aging. For over half a century, through books, articles, public speaking, mentoring, and demonstrations, Dr. Estes has illuminated the influence of social policies (and lack thereof), as well as allocation of resources on the wellbeing of older women, racial/ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, and the disabled. Her mentor Maggie Kuhn, the founder of the Gray Panthers, would say that Dr. Estes never left a stone unturned. The speakers of this symposium will reflect on the influence of Dr. Estes in their scholarship. They will also discuss ways to leverage Dr. Estes’ ideas to further advance the political economy of aging in the U.S. and in the world. In particular, drawing on Dr. Estes’ “Aging Enterprise”, Dr. Alan Walker will discuss the reasons why political economy is still essential to gerontology. Second, Dr. Toni Calasanti will reflect on the influence of Dr. Estes as a feminist political economist of aging. Next, Dr. Chris Phillipson will address challenges facing the social construction of ageing policies. Finally Dr. Steve Wallace will show how Dr. Estes’s political economy analysis provides strategies to effectively improve the health and life chances of all older adults. Dr. Pamela Herd, the discussant, will end with her reflections on future areas of investigation.