Why We All Care About Inequality (But Are Loath to Admit It)

Author: Branko Milanovic

Publication: Challenge. vol. 50, no. 6. pp. 109-120

Date: November-December 2007

Abstract: 

Many economists dismiss the relevance of inequality (if everybody’s income goes up, who cares if inequality is up too?), and argue that only poverty alleviation should matter. This note shows that we all do care about inequality, and to hold that we should be concerned with poverty solely and not with inequality is internally inconsistent.

Link: Why We All Care About Inequality (But Are Loath to Admit It) (PDF)