Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Matthew Yoshimoto

Outlier Nation: The Roots and Consequences of American Exceptionalism

This summer, I will support Professor Karabel’s research for his upcoming book, Outlier Nation, which explores why the United States stands out among wealthy democracies—for both its strengths and its shortcomings. While the U.S. leads the world in innovation, economic power, and higher education, it also faces higher levels of inequality, incarceration, and poor health. By comparing the U.S. with 19 similar countries, the project explores how long-term forces, especially labor relations, racial inequality, and limits on citizenship, have shaped these outcomes over time. Combining historical analysis with recent data, my research aims to explain how these patterns continue to influence quality of life in the United States today.

Message To Sponsor

Thank you for supporting this research opportunity. Your generosity allows me to deepen my work on a topic I care about while gaining valuable experience in comparative and data-driven analysis. This support makes it possible for me to focus more fully on my work this summer, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to keep growing as a researcher. I really appreciate your support in making this possible.