Thomas Piketty-whose Capital in the Twenty-First Century pushed inequality to the forefront of public debate-wrote The Economics of Inequality as an introduction to the conceptual and factual background necessary for interpreting changes in economic inequality over time. This concise text has established itself as an indispensable guide for students and general readers in France, where it has been regularly updated and revised. Translated by Arthur Goldhammer, The Economics of Inequality now appears in English for the first time.

Piketty begins by explaining how inequality evolves and how economists measure it. In subsequent chapters, he explores variances in income and ownership of capital and the variety of policies used to reduce these gaps. Along the way, with characteristic clarity and precision, he introduces key ideas about the relationship between labor and capital, the effects of different systems of taxation, the distinction between "historical" and "political" time, the impact of education and technological change, the nature of capital markets, the role of unions, and apparent tensions between the pursuit of efficiency and the pursuit of fairness.

Succinct, accessible, and authoritative, this is the ideal place to start for those who want to understand the fundamental issues at the heart of one of the most pressing concerns in contemporary economics and politics.

About the Author
Thomas Piketty is Professor at Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Paris School of Economics and Codirector of the World Inequality Lab.

Reviews
In a work that is aligned with but antecedent to his grand synthesis, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, French economist Piketty examines the structural causes of inequality... A discussion worth having and a book worth reading. * Kirkus Reviews *
Piketty's The Economics of Inequality is an excellent book and a great companion to Capital. This book is a remarkable mix of extensive data, attention to theory, and concern for policy. -- Axel Gosseries, Fund for Scientific Research (FRS-FNRS) and University of Louvain (UCL)
If Piketty is right, inequality is increasing and cannot be cured by the free market; we must understand the problem to understand how to address it. This should be required reading for every concerned citizen. * Publishers Weekly *
Even a brief guide to basic concepts in Piketty's field of study can remind you, at every turn, that something profound is going on within the global economic system. The data, especially the data from recent decades, does not conceal the tale...Avarice and plunder play no part in the language of economics, but they too are causes and consequences of the phenomena Piketty describes. In some respects, his work is an assault on the kind of cult thinking that these days passes for economic and political analysis. -- Ian Bell * Glasgow Herald *
Piketty's The Economics of Inequality, which acts as a primer, provides a useful starting point for a wide audience. -- Tom Healy * Irish Times *
Translated into English for the first time, it offers an exceptionally clear, cogent, and coherent discussion of economic inequality. -- Richard N. Cooper * Foreign Affairs *


Awards
Nominated for Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award 2015.



Book Information
ISBN 9780674504806
Author Thomas Piketty
Format Hardback
Page Count 160
Imprint The Belknap Press
Publisher Harvard University Press
Weight(grams) 272g