Changing Inequality
Rebecca M. Blank
Abstract
This book offers a comprehensive analysis of an economic trend that has been reshaping the United States over the past three decades: rapidly rising income inequality. It provides an overview of how and why the level and distribution of income and wealth has changed since 1979, sets this situation within its historical context, and investigates the forces that are driving it. Among other factors, the book looks closely at changes within families, including women's increasing participation in the work force. The book includes some surprising findings—for example, that per-person income has rise ... More
This book offers a comprehensive analysis of an economic trend that has been reshaping the United States over the past three decades: rapidly rising income inequality. It provides an overview of how and why the level and distribution of income and wealth has changed since 1979, sets this situation within its historical context, and investigates the forces that are driving it. Among other factors, the book looks closely at changes within families, including women's increasing participation in the work force. The book includes some surprising findings—for example, that per-person income has risen sharply among almost all social groups, even as income has become more unequally distributed. Looking toward the future, the book suggests that while rising inequality will likely be with us for many decades to come, it is not an inevitable outcome. This book considers what can be done to address this trend, and also explores the question: why should we be concerned about this phenomenon?
Keywords:
income inequality,
income,
wealth,
families,
women,
social groups
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2011 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780520266926 |
| Published to California Scholarship Online: March 2012 |
DOI:10.1525/california/9780520266926.001.0001 |
