The Washington Monthly interviewed Prof. Lily Geismer about the history of microfinance. Geismer, whose research into microcredit and the liberal establishment is part of her upcoming book, “Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality,” described how microfinance disappeared as an ideal. In the early 2000s, she said, “plenty of idealistic people I knew went on to work for microfinance organizations. My students today who have similar values are not interested.”