In this book, Thomas Piketty examines the historical dynamics of wealth and income inequality from the 18th century to the present. He argues that when the rate of return on capital exceeds the rate of economic growth, it leads to a concentration of wealth and significant social and economic instability. Piketty's analysis is based on extensive historical and comparative data from over twenty countries, challenging the notion that free market capitalism naturally reduces inequality. He proposes a global system of progressive wealth taxes to mitigate these inequalities and protect democratic values. The book is a groundbreaking work that reorients our understanding of economic history and the inherent contradictions of capitalism[1][4][5].
In "A Brief History of Equality," Thomas Piketty offers a concise yet insightful overview of the historical trajectory of equality across various societies. He examines the long-term trends in income and wealth distribution, highlighting the interplay between political and economic forces. Piketty emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context to address contemporary inequalities. The book underscores the ongoing struggle for equality and the need for continued efforts to achieve a more just and equitable world. It serves as a call to action, urging readers to engage in the ongoing fight for social justice.
In 'Capital and Ideology', Thomas Piketty explores the historical and contemporary justifications for inequality, arguing that it is fundamentally rooted in ideology and politics rather than economics and technology. The book spans global history, critiquing various political systems and their roles in sustaining inequality. Piketty proposes progressive taxation and participatory socialism as means to reduce inequality, emphasizing that economic systems are historical constructs dependent on societal choices. The book is a detailed and data-driven examination of the material and ideological interactions that have shaped human societies, advocating for a reimagined economic system that prioritizes equality and education[1][3][4].
It's easy to be pessimistic about inequality. We know it has increased dramatically in many parts of the world over the past two generations. No one has done more to reveal the problem than Thomas Piketty. Now, in this surprising and powerful new work, Piketty reminds us that the grand sweep of history gives us reasons to be optimistic. Over the centuries, he shows, we have been moving toward greater equality.
In A Brief History of Equality (Harvard UP, 2022), Piketty guides us with elegance and concision through the great movements that have made the modern world for better and worse: the growth of capitalism, revolutions, imperialism, slavery, wars, and the building of the welfare state. It's a history of violence and social struggle, punctuated by regression and disaster. But through it all, Piketty shows, human societies have moved fitfully toward a more just distribution of income and assets, a reduction of racial and gender inequalities, and greater access to health care, education, and the rights of citizenship. Our rough march forward is political and ideological, an endless fight against injustice. To keep moving, Piketty argues, we need to learn and commit to what works, to institutional, legal, social, fiscal, and educational systems that can make equality a lasting reality. At the same time, we need to resist historical amnesia and the temptations of cultural separatism and intellectual compartmentalization. At stake is the quality of life for billions of people. We know we can do better, Piketty concludes. The past shows us how. The future is up to us.
Javier Mejia is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Political Science Department at Stanford University.
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New Books in Economics 
