At that time both the oecd and the imf had already. More than just a program for change, atkinsons book is a voice of hope and informed optimism about the possibilities for political action. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. There was a famous book in england called the poor and the poorest, which was the. Francois bourguinons book, the globalization of inequality, 2015 princeton university press, may be a good companion to atkinson s book. Inequality is now a prominent public concern, but distributional issues are still shunned by most economists. I am grateful to the discussants, ruth lister and tom clark for their insightful comments. Anthony atkinson, economist whose studies on inequality. Increasing inequality is a salient issue in public discourse, but debate often centres on the causes rather than any possible solutions. In summer 20 the austrian economic association decided to organize its 2014 annual conference on the topic of economics of inequality. Paul krugman, the new york times atkinson does not mind speaking uncomfortable truths. In inequality atkinson places them centre stage, looking at what economic inequality is and why it matters, making some concrete proposals as to what can be done about it, and responding to the most obvious criticisms of those proposals. Tony atkinson on poverty, inequality, and public policy. His publications, from his first book in 1969 to his last in 2015, showed how he approached his work throughout his.
I thought this book did not take sufficient care with some very basic distinctions, such as the difference between a problem of poverty and a problem of inequality. Sir anthony, who is 70, has been working on inequality and poverty for more than four decades. Anthony atkinson s study of inequality is a worthy and accomplished piece of analysis. Tony atkinson, anthony barnes atkinson, british economist born sept. A useful 1997 primer is published in english for the first time, writes tom healy. The books are listed in reverse chronological order. Atkinson offers ambitious new policies in technology, employment, social security, sharing of capital, and taxation, and he defends them against the common arguments and excuses for inaction.
Scholar who knew the task of an economist is not just to measure inequality but to find ways to reduce and eliminate it. Thomas pikettywhose capital in the twentyfirst century pushed inequality to the forefront of public debatewrote the economics of inequality as an introduction to the conceptual and factual background necessary for interpreting changes in economic inequality over time. This book is the result of research on the economics of inequality carried out since i graduated as an economist in 1966. Inequality is one of our most urgent social problems. Tony atkinson, in many ways the father of modern inequality research, has written a terrific new book.
This concise text has established itself as an indispensable guide for students and general readers in france, where it. Atkinson is a pioneer of the study of the economics of poverty and inequality. This article, by a longstanding friend and coauthor, outlines his contributions to the analysis and measurement of inequality and many other areas of economics, including taxation, social protection, and the welfare state. Anthony atkinson, economist whose studies on inequality broke new ground. Atkinson, 9780674504769, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In nearly fifty years, i have accumulated many debtsto those with whom i have worked, to colleagues around the world, to students, and to writers in different fields. Sir tony atkinson discussing at the lse what can be done about inequality, in 2015 he was amazingly prolific, averaging close to a book and seven published articles each year. Sir tony atkinson, the doyen of inequality economics, passed away in.
This book is a remarkable mix of extensive data, attention to theory, and concern for policy. The stark reality is that good ideas about equality require strong government, but in capitalist countries, a government is as strong as its political base. Pdf economic inequality according atkinson researchgate. Anthony atkinsons study of inequality is a worthy and accomplished piece of analysis. Tony atkinson, in many ways the father of modern inequality research, has written a terrific.
Why it matters, what can be done and how it can be done, which includes an econometric analysis of. Whats distinctive about this book, inequality, is captured by the question posed in its subtitle. Atkinson, an acclaimed british economist who pioneered the study of changes in the distribution of wealth and income, allowing for a better understanding of poverty and. Sir tony atkinson, the doyen of inequality economics, passed away in january. In this new book, the doyen of inequality economics in the uk, anthony atkinson whose many students have included piketty sets out what a real plan for reducing inequality would look like. As well as diagnosing the problem of economic inequality especially. Shortly before his death, he asked two of his past collaborators, andrea brandolini and john micklewright, to bring the book to publication under the title measuring poverty around. Economic inequality in america is caused by lower wage fulltime being paid dramatically less than higher wage fulltime workers.
To reduce them, we need fresh ideas that move beyond taxes on the wealthy. Sustainability for a society means longterm viability, but also the ability to cope with economic crises and disasters. Read the 15 proposals from inequality what can be done. I am not sure that i will be able to finish a book he was writing on. Tony atkinson was an extraordinarily distinguished academic whose works changed our understanding of poverty, inequality, mobility, public policy, and economic growth.
This is an exlibrary book and may have the usual libraryusedbook markings inside. Atkinson is a fellow of nuffield college, oxford, and. He has been thinking about the economics of inequality since he graduated as an economist in 1966. Atkinson tried to show that economics is primarily a social and moral.
The chartbook of economic inequality data on economic. An economist best economics and business book of the year. Just as with natural disasters, we can minimize the chance of them occurring and set in place policies to protect the worlds citizens against their consequences. Lester award for the outstanding book in industrial relations and labor economics, princeton university an economist best economics and business book of the year a financial times best economics book of the year. That is unfortunate for sir anthony atkinson, a british economist who has now written his own book. Anthony atkinson, a british economist and expert on. Nicholas stern, london school of economics and political science. Francois bourguinons book, the globalization of inequality, 2015 princeton university press, may be a good companion to atkinsons book. Public economics in an age of austerity, routledge, 2014. Measuring poverty around the world, princeton university press, 2019 more information on the page dedicated to this book inequality what can be done. We are very sad to report that professor sir tony atkinson died on the first of january, 2017, at the age of 72. Lester award for the outstanding book in industrial relations and labor economics, princeton university an economist best economics and business book of the year a financial times best economics book of the year inequality is one of our most urgent social problems.
An economist best economics and business book of the year a financial times best economics book of the year inequality is one of our most urgent social. This column, by a longstanding friend and coauthor, outlines his contributions to the analysis and measurement of inequality and many other areas of economics, including taxation, social protection, and the welfare state. This working paper is based on the presentation of my book, inequality. For poorer, for richer anthony atkinson, a british economist and expert on inequality, died on january 1st an intellectual warrior in the fight against poverty finance and economics jan 5th 2017. More than just a program for change, atkinsons book is a voice of.
Our cheap used books come with free delivery in the us. Inequality and poverty have returned with a vengeance in recent decades. Inequality book chicago public library bibliocommons. A discussion worth having and a book worth reading. My interest in the topic actually led me to become an economics student. Why so few american economists are studying inequality. When did you become interested in the topic of economic inequality. Economic and social justice mind the gap books and. In particular, it defines a clear picture of the nature of income inequality and capital inequality as the former began to observably increase in the 90s, the time at which the book was written.
Why it matters, what can be done and how it can be done, which includes an econometric analysis of costs and benefits of some of his proposals. The book is divided into three parts, in simple terms the why, what and how. According to the distinguished economist anthony atkinson, however, we can. The economics of inequality by thomas piketty is a brief introduction to the principles of inequality and some pertinent theories for its amelioration. In this new book, the doyen of inequality economics in the uk, anthony atkinson whose many students have included piketty sets out what. The data for this website and publication are published as atkinson, hasell, morelli, and roser 2017, the chartbook of economic inequality. Back in 2001 two french economists, thomas piketty and emmanuel saez, circulated a seminal research paper formally published two years later titled income inequality in the united states. The ultimate goal of atkinson s research was to translate economic analysis.