Explaining Inequality

This book provides a timely and incisive study of inequality. While Piketty’s opus was fundamental in providing evidence for the rising trend in inequality, this book looks at different factors - technological, institutional and oligarchic - that help explain why a simple wealth tax is not the (only) answer.

Mariana Mazzucato, University of Sussex, UK.

'This book constitutes a compelling study of income and wealth inequality, and provides a clear and comprehensive analysis of the dynamics at the roots of inequality that is still needed. It succeeds in analysing the main issues related to inequality, keeping the title’s promise, and provides detailed and specific policy recommendations... I would recommend this book, in particular, to all those who have read Piketty for a satisfying complementary critical understanding of the deepest dynamics of inequality and to all those that are simply interested in or concerned with a concise and clear discussion of the issues of inequality.' — Marta R. M. Spreafico, International Review of Applied Economics

'This book provides a timely and incisive study of inequality. While Piketty’s opus was fundamental in providing evidence for the rising trend in inequality, this short book looks at different factors --technological, institutional and oligarchic -- that help us also explain why a simple wealth tax is not the (only) answer.' — Mariana Mazzucato, R.M. Phillips Professor in the Economics of Innovation,SPRU, University of Sussex, UK.

'The four engines of inequality identified in this excellent book--power of capital over labor, oligarchic capitalism, individualization, and the retreat from politics—provide a powerful framework for understanding inequality in our time, and for thinking through what can be done about it.' — Ravi Kanbur, T.H. Lee Professor of World Affairs, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, USA.

'The causes and consequences of rising inequality in rich nations has been too narrowly treated even by progressives. There are only a few exceptions. Now, Mario Pianta and Maurizio Franzini have profoundly broadened the issue in their important book. You may have thought you've read everything about the subject. but you haven't until you read this book. You've probably even missed the important issues.' — Jeff Madrick, Author and Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation, USA.