Rohit Chopra returns to Harvard to lead a study group examining the intersection of finance, technology, and government amid rising corporate influence in the American economy.
In an era marked by significant wealth disparities and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, the question of who truly controls the American economy has become increasingly pertinent for emerging leaders.
Rohit Chopra, a prominent Indian American scholar and former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is back at Harvard University this semester to lead a study group titled “Money and Power in the New Gilded Age.”
This initiative, hosted by the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, consists of a series of one-hour sessions designed to unveil how concentrated financial and technological power shapes contemporary life.
Chopra, who has also served as a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, has been at the forefront of some of Washington’s most contentious regulatory debates. Renowned for his vigorous opposition to “junk fees” and his advocacy for consumer privacy, he brings a wealth of practical experience to the classroom.
The study group comes at a time of profound economic anxiety for many Americans. For numerous individuals, the “American Dream” appears increasingly obstructed by large corporations and algorithmic decision-making processes.
Chopra’s curriculum aims to humanize these complex systemic issues, moving beyond mere statistics to explore how high-level policy decisions impact the financial realities and digital experiences of everyday citizens.
“We are living through a period where the boundaries between finance, technology, and government are blurring,” the program states. The sessions are designed to be interactive, encouraging students to question the status quo and engage in discussions about the ethics of market dominance in the 21st century.
As a Resident Fellow, Chopra joins a long-standing tradition of public servants utilizing the Institute of Politics as a platform for candid, off-the-record dialogue. These sessions are exclusive to Harvard students, fostering a “safe harbor” for open debate, free from the scrutiny of social media and traditional press. This environment allows for an in-depth exploration of the influence of lobbyists, the mechanics of regulatory capture, and the potential for grassroots reform.
For Chopra, this appointment represents a homecoming. He is now tasked with guiding students through a landscape where the “Gilded Age” is not merely a historical reference but a current reality.
By the end of the semester, the objective is for students to emerge not only with a solid understanding of economic theory but also with a framework for ensuring that democratic institutions remain resilient against unprecedented corporate influence.
According to The American Bazaar, Chopra’s initiative is a timely response to the evolving dynamics of power in the American economy.