Inequality: Theory and Evidence

This course uses economic theory to study the problems of inequality. The emphasis is two-fold: (1) to explain persistent resource disparities between individuals or social groups; and, (2) to assess the welfare effects of various equality-promoting policies. Topics include racial stereotypes, residential segregation, distributive justice, incentive effects of preferential policies, dysfunctional identity, and endogenous inequality due to the structure of production and exchange.