The Economics of Inequality

“Translated into English for the first time, it offers an exceptionally clear, cogent, and coherent discussion of economic inequality.”—Richard N. Cooper, Foreign Affairs

“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

“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

“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

“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)