Inequality 101

Inequality, in many ways, may be the biggest question of our times. And yet it is a topic that is still underexplored in conventional economics curricula.


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From the collections Education, Learn Economics at Home

In this five-part lecture series from the Institute for New Economic Thinking, economists Arjun Jayadev (Azim Premji Univeristy) and Branko Milanovic (CUNY Graduate Center) break down what inequality is, how we measure it, why it exists, and how to address it.


Lecture 1: Why Should I Care?

Inequality is an issue we all face every day, from income disparities to gender discrimination. In this first lecture in the Institute for New Economic Thinking’s “Inequality 101” series, Arjun Jayadev explains the vital importance of understanding inequality in today’s world.


Lecture 2: How Do We Measure Inequality?

Inequality may be everywhere, but that doesn’t mean economists agree on how to measure it. In this second lecture in the Institute for New Economic Thinking’s “Inequality 101” series, Arjun Jayadev explains the relative merits of different ways of measuring inequality.


Lecture 3: What Is Happening?

How did global inequality come about? In this third lecture in the Institute for New Economic Thinking’s “Inequality 101” series, Branko Milanovic explores how the industrial revolution created widening inequality between different countries.


Lecture 4: What Is Happening Now?

What is happening to global inequality now? In this fourth lecture in the Institute for New Economic Thinking’s “Inequality 101” series, Branko Milanovic continues his exploration of global inequality into the contemporary neoliberal era.


Lecture 5: The Bigger Picture

How do we fight inequality? In this fifth and final lecture in the Institute for New Economic Thinking’s “Inequality 101” series, Arjun Jayadev and Branko Milanovic discuss possible policy solutions to inequality, including opening borders and raising taxes on capital gains.



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After Class

The HET Website has created a supporting page of resources for those who wish to dig deeper into the references made in the lectures. From economist profiles, to schools of thought, and even complete written works, there’s something for everyone!

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Special Thanks

INET sincerely thanks the Julis-Rabinowitz Family for their generous support, who named this series to honor the spirit of a great educator and economic thinker, Uwe Reinhardt.

For nearly 50 years, the late Uwe Reinhardt was a beloved economist and professor at Princeton University. Known best for helping to shape critical discourse around healthcare markets, his biting wit and intellect challenged students, colleagues, and policymakers alike to follow the data and to check all assumptions at the door.