Spotlight on Inequality

Basics
Income and wealth inequality in the US is dramatically starker than it was a generation ago, and dramatically starker than rates of inequality virtually anywhere else in the world. The top 1 percent of Americans now claim nearly a quarter of the nation’s income; double their share of a generation ago. In terms of wealth rather than income, the top 1 percent claim 40 percent; up from 33 percent a generation ago.

This is not a benign and inevitable market outcome, but rather the direct consequence of public policies which have weakened the power of organized labor, lessened the constraints on capital, and dramatically shifted the tax burden. These policies are detailed in the throughout this site. This “spotlight” is meant simply illuminate the dimensions of the problem, and point to some key resources.

Learn More
The Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies maintains an excellent collection of inequality data and resources. The feature “It’s the Inequality, Stupid” from Mother Jones (February 2011) magazine employs innovative charts to portray a range of key inequality measures. Among national research groups, important work is being done by United for a Fair Economy , the Economic Policy Institute , Demos, the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Citizens for Tax Justice, and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz’s, “Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%” (Vanity Fair, May 2011) is a concise overview of the problem.

Video: CEO Pay

Video: Growing Apart

Video: What's Fair?

Recent Research Highlights

Asset Poverty (March 2011)

Added November 18, 2011 Source: Demos
Issue: Spotlight on Inequality, The Great Recession
State: Michigan

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