Topic: Economic Inequality

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
In Pictures: Occupy Wall Street protests
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 4/29
In Pictures: John Boehner
In Pictures: South Africa: Sixteen Years After Apartheid

All Content

Righting wrongs in China depends on rights

Dissident Chen Guangcheng is speaking out about the need for rule of law in China. But the party is slowly accepting individual rights. And studies show those few rights are yielding positive results.
Chapter & Verse
'Unintended Consequences' by Edward Conrad: already 'the most hated book of the year'?

'Unintended Consequences' by former Bain Capital managing director Edward Conard argues that economic inequality is a good thing rather than a problem.
Opening day for Occupy Wall Street: Act 2

Occupy Wall Street protesters plan demonstrations in more than 100 cities, hoping to rekindle the movement after months in relative hibernation.
The Great Divergence

Economic equality has slipped to an alarming low in the United States. In "The Great Divergence" Timothy Noah does an excellent job of telling us how this happened – and why it matters.
World's next technology leader will be US, not China – if America can shape up

Innovation drives income growth and determines global military and diplomatic leadership. China lacks the kind of inclusive political institutions like those in the US that promote innovation. But inequality and money's influence on political power threaten American innovation.
CitiGroup shareholder revolt: golden-rule capitalism

A shareholder revolt at banking giant CitiGroup that rejected a pay package for top executives marks a chance for a healthier relationship between investors and managers. It might also reduce the nation's income inequality.
Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
America's big wealth gap: Is it good, bad, or irrelevant?

The gap between rich and poor is at its widest since the Roaring '20s. Obama complains that it's unfair, but a growing chorus of economists and sociologists say it's worse than that.
Global News Blog
Good Reads: China's next leader comes to Washington, as US enters a funk

Lots of talk of America's decline but few suggested solutions as Chinese vice president Xi Jinping visits Washington this week.
Chapter & Verse
'Coming Apart': Charles Murray sees an America divided, but not by race

'Coming Apart' by Charles Murray is being called an important book. But is it a good one?
Did Mitt Romney just disrespect poor Americans?

Mitt Romney told CNN 'I'm not concerned about the very poor...' Will that come off sounding tone deaf? Or was it simply a quote taken out of context?
The New Economy
Davos meeting: Gloomy about economy, worried about capitalism

The annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, will discuss not only the Europe's debt woes but also the future of capitalism. Even some billionaires in Davos are worried about income inequality.
Thanks to Occupy, rich-poor gap is front and center. See Mitt Romney's tax return.

Thanks to the Occupy movement and information easily disseminated on the Internet, Americans are better informed about the rich-poor gap. The issue will continue to figure prominently in this election. Case in point: The hoopla over Mitt Romney's tax return.
Foreclosure hardest on low-income homeowners

Foreclosure is hardest on low-income and minority homeowners, and the gap in foreclosure rates is just the latest indication of a widening rift between rich and poor.
On the Economy
Income inequality: It's a problem. Here's why.

Income inequality is strongly correlated with the inability of the next generation to achieve the American Dream. The more income inequality, the fewer people can achieve the 'Dream.' 
On the Economy
Why 'trickle down' economics don't work

Supply side economic practice deepens the deficit and worsens inequality
The Daily Reckoning
Biggest financial trap of 2012: US Treasury debt

US debt is becoming less valuable as Americans grow poorer and poorer
On the Economy
Can tax reform really fix the income gap?

Because many other factors influence income inequality besides tax policy, tax reform's ability to combat the problem is limited, but its potential shouldn't be entirely counted out.
On the Economy
Will income inequality get even worse?

Unfortunately, the forces driving inequality in America remain alive and well
Occupy Day of Action sparks arrests nationwide

Occupy Day of Action led to several major protests, chiefly in New York City. But what did the Occupy Day of Action accomplish?
Green Economics
Does Harvard cause income inequality?

With the rise of "superstar pay" in the financial  markets, are too many students choosing to go to Wall Street in lieu of becoming economics experts?
Top 1 percent has nearly quadrupled income since 1979

Top 1 percent cause massive income disparity: a Congressional Budget Office report found that income for the top 1 percent increased 275 percent since 1979, while it only increased 18 percent for other Americans.
Economist Mom
Occupy ourselves!

Before assigning blame, we need to figure out each of our own roles in the economic mess that inspired "Occupy Wall Street."
In Pictures: Occupy Wall Street protests
Susan Sarandon lends star power to Wall Street protests

Susan Sarandon joins Wall Street protests to 'educate' herself. Visits by Sarandon and other high-profile activists are helping 'Occupy Wall Street' gain attention, despite a small turnout.