Tulane Professor Examines Barriers to Economic Mobility

Gary Hoover's new book 'Ladder or Lottery' challenges the notion that upward mobility is solely a matter of personal choice.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:00am

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An abstract composition of overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and red, conveying the interconnected nature of factors that influence economic opportunity.A conceptual illustration exploring the systemic barriers to economic mobility highlighted in Hoover's research.Minneapolis Today

Gary Hoover, an economist and professor at Tulane University, has published a new book titled 'Ladder or Lottery: Economic Promises and the Reality of Who Gets Ahead.' In the book, Hoover examines systemic barriers to economic growth and upward mobility, such as uneven education quality, limited access to credit markets, and high healthcare costs, challenging the common belief that economic success is purely a matter of individual choice.

Why it matters

Hoover's research highlights the complex, structural factors that can limit economic opportunities for many Americans, even those who work hard and make responsible choices. By shedding light on these systemic issues, the book aims to inform policy discussions and encourage a more nuanced understanding of the drivers of income inequality and social mobility.

The details

Hoover, who has published numerous scholarly papers and books on topics related to income redistribution, poverty, and political economy, argues that the common narrative of the 'land of opportunity' and 'upward mobility' oversimplifies the reality faced by many low-income individuals. Through his research and interviews, Hoover found that factors such as the quality of local education, access to credit, and healthcare costs can significantly impact a person's ability to climb the economic ladder, even if they are making efforts to improve their situation.

  • Hoover has been a professor of economics and law at Tulane University since 1998.
  • From 2015 to 2020, he was a President's Associates Presidential Professor and the Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Oklahoma.
  • Hoover's new book, 'Ladder or Lottery,' was published in 2026.

The players

Gary Hoover

An economist and professor at Tulane University, Hoover is the executive director of the Murphy Institute and the founding and current editor of the Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy. He has published numerous scholarly works on topics related to income inequality, poverty, and political economy.

Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute

An organization based at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, where Hoover serves on the advisory board.

National Tax Association

Hoover has been on the board of this organization since 2023.

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What they’re saying

“We've heard certain phrases quite often. The phrase generally goes something like this: 'This is the land of opportunity, and this is the land of upward mobility.' If you're at a lower level of the income distribution, or you're poor, then that's a choice. The belief is that you actually don't have to be poor, because there's so many different avenues that you can take to not be poor.”

— Gary Hoover, Professor of Economics, Tulane University

“Everyone who I've talked to about this book, they've said, 'You're just putting onto paper what I was already thinking,' or 'I didn't have all of the pieces. I knew that part of it, but then you put this part and put it together and made it make sense on that side.'”

— Gary Hoover, Professor of Economics, Tulane University

What’s next

Hoover plans to continue his research and advocacy work, exploring ways to address the systemic barriers to economic mobility that he has identified in his book. He hopes his work will inform policy discussions and encourage a more nuanced understanding of the drivers of income inequality.

The takeaway

Hoover's research challenges the simplistic narrative of the 'land of opportunity,' highlighting the complex, structural factors that can limit economic mobility for many Americans. By shedding light on these systemic issues, his work aims to foster a more informed and empathetic dialogue around addressing income inequality and promoting inclusive economic growth.