Thomas Piketty—whoseCapital in the Twenty-First Centurypushed inequality to the forefront of public debate—wroteThe Economics of Inequalityas an introduction to the conceptual & factual background necessary for interpreting changes ineconomic inequalityover time. This concise text has established itself as an indispensable guide for students & general readers inFrance, where it has been regularly updated & revised. Translated byArthur Goldhammer,The Economics of Inequalitynow appears in English for the first time.Pikettybegins by explaining how inequality evolves & how economists measure it. In subsequent chapters, he explores variances in income & ownership of capital & the variety of policies used to reduce these gaps. Along the way, with characteristic clarity & precision, he introduces key ideas about the relationship between labor & capital, the effects of different systems of taxation, the distinction between “historical” & “political” time, the impact of education & technological change, the nature of capital markets, the role of unions, & apparent tensions between the pursuit of efficiency & the pursuit of fairness.Succinct, accessible, & authoritative, this is the ideal place to start for those who want to understand the fundamental issues at the heart of one of the most pressing concerns in contemporary economics & politics.