Income Distribution

3 cr · Undergraduate

An introduction to how income, and its accumulation as wealth, is distributed between individuals, as well as between classes of economic actors. Measures of income inequality, wealth and poverty are introduced. Empirical data and theories aimed at explaining the distribution of income and broad trends that have emerged over time are reviewed. Redistributive policies undertaken by governments and various normative approaches to the economic analysis of income inequality are also examined, with an emphasis on modern policy options and challenges. Students may not hold credit for both ECON 2670 and ECON 2610 when offered with the topic "Income Distribution".