The Political Economy of Inequality: U.S. and Global Dimensions

Authors

Sisay Asefa Editor, Western Michigan University
Wei-Chiao Huang Editor, Western Michigan University

Publication Date

3-19-2020

DOI

10.17848/9780880996730

Abstract

The contributors to this book discuss a variety of forms of social inequality which include large gaps in accumulated assets, discrepancies in access to quality education, unstable family life, lack of access to banking services, poor employment prospects, lack of health care services, and underrepresentation for political and legal matters. Together, they show how these forms of inequality are interrelated with income inequality and that, taken together, they pose the risk for societal and political unrest should they be left unresolved.

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Contents

1. The Political Economy of Inequality: Introduction / Sisay Asefa and Wei-Chiao Huang
2. The New Inequality: The Distribution of Retirement and Older Working Time in OECD Countries / Teresa Ghilarducci
3. The Economics and Politics of the Fall and Rise of Income Inequality in the United States / Charles L. Ballard
4. America’s Unequal Playing Field: The Gaps between Poor and Rich Children’s Resources / Mary E. Corcoran
5. Why Has Income Inequality Increased while Education Inequality Has Decreased in Many Developing Countries? / David Lam
6. Institutions, Structures, and Policy Paradigms: Toward Understanding Inequality in Africa / Howard Stein
7. Income Inequality, Progressive Taxation, and Tax Expenditures / James R. Hines Jr.

Note

The chapters in this volume are based on lectures from the fifty-fourth Werner Sichel Lecture Series in 2017–2018 at Western Michigan University.

ISBN

9780880996723 (cloth) ; 9780880996716 (pbk.) ; 9780880996730 (ebook)

Subject Areas

EDUCATION; LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Retirement and pensions; Wages, health insurance and other benefits; INTERNATIONAL ISSUES; Globalization