Differentiating the deeper causes of income inequality from those that are more accidental is difficult. When we examine our own particular environments, it is natural that we should focus on our immediate surroundings: our colleagues, neighbors and fellow citizens. We don’t often think about how those on the other side of the world are faring. […]
Why inequality is increasing and what can we do about it?
Janet Yellen, chair of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve, gave a speech in October 2014 in which she said that, “The past several decades have seen the most sustained rise in inequality since the 19th century after more than 40 years of narrowing inequality following the Great Depression. I think it […]
Families: The key to addressing social and economic inequality
Francis Fukuyama delivers an engaging critique of Robert Putnam’s latest book, Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis (Financial Times, March 2015). Putnam alerts us to the real reason behind America’s inequality, which is missing in current debates on the subject. His belief is that the gradual decline of the stable, two-parent, mother and father […]
Inequality from the Inside Out
We cannot rely on a market economy driven purely by individual interest to remedy an unjust situation …
From Rags to Riches: An American Dream or Reality?
As Capital in the 21st century, a recent book by economist Thomas Piketty, remains sold out across bookstores around the world – income inequality has shown to be a major concern both among citizens and policymakers. However, little attention has been given to a mechanism closely related to income inequality, but perhaps even more tangible […]
