The course aims at analysing inequality, both from a theoretical and empirical perspective. The course focuses on uneven growth mechanisms and between-countries inequality; drivers of within-countries inequality; definitions and measures of inequality in outcomes (e.g., income and wage, opportunity); labour income inequality; inequality between social groups (by race and gender); comparative analysis of redistributive policies; the impact of climate change on employment and earnings.
Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
Programme
1. Inequality on a global scale Methodological introduction; unequal growth between countries, inequality within countries 2. Income differences between countries Income differences between countries; stylized facts and determinants of income differences on a global scale 3. Growth theories, technical progress and income distribution Growth theories; endogenous technical progress; ‘distorted’ technical progress, factor shares, wage gaps; the effects of Artificial Intelligence on growth, employment and wages 4. The fundamental causes of inequality between countries and poverty traps The causes of income inequality between countries: technical progress, geography, history and institutions; poverty traps 5. Functional distribution of income and inequality between capital and labor Long-run dynamics of top income shares and factor shares; Piketty's macroeconomics 6. Personal income distribution and labor market Wage dispersion: theories and empirical evidence; minimum wage; monopsony and corporate wage policies; the superstar economy 7. Inequality of opportunity Theory and empirical evidence; intergenerational inequality and social mobility 8. Gender inequality and discrimination in the labor market Theories, empirical evidence, affirmative action policies 9. Income inequality and redistributive policies in OECD countries Preferences for redistribution and welfare: economic and political explanations; inequality and populism; immigration: facts and perceptions, political effects, effects on the labor market 10. Environmental inequality and unequal effects of the green transition Climate change: impact on the labor market and inequality; green transition, environmental policies and employment and wage dynamics 11. The evolution of inequality in Italy Dimensions of inequality in Italy: household income; labor market; wealth; the impact of the green transition on inequality and the labor market; territorial gaps and development policies: the case of Southern ItalyCore Documentation
slides including referencesAttendance
requiredType of evaluation
Write and discuss a short essay on a selected topic of the programme. teacher profile teaching materials
Programme
1. Inequality on a global scale Methodological introduction; unequal growth between countries, inequality within countries 2. Income differences between countries Income differences between countries; stylized facts and determinants of income differences on a global scale 3. Growth theories, technical progress and income distribution Growth theories; endogenous technical progress; ‘distorted’ technical progress, factor shares, wage gaps; the effects of Artificial Intelligence on growth, employment and wages 4. The fundamental causes of inequality between countries and poverty traps The causes of income inequality between countries: technical progress, geography, history and institutions; poverty traps 5. Functional distribution of income and inequality between capital and labor Long-run dynamics of top income shares and factor shares; Piketty's macroeconomics 6. Personal income distribution and labor market Wage dispersion: theories and empirical evidence; minimum wage; monopsony and corporate wage policies; the superstar economy 7. Inequality of opportunity Theory and empirical evidence; intergenerational inequality and social mobility 8. Gender inequality and discrimination in the labor market Theories, empirical evidence, affirmative action policies 9. Income inequality and redistributive policies in OECD countries Preferences for redistribution and welfare: economic and political explanations; inequality and populism; immigration: facts and perceptions, political effects, effects on the labor market 10. Environmental inequality and unequal effects of the green transition Climate change: impact on the labor market and inequality; green transition, environmental policies and employment and wage dynamics 11. The evolution of inequality in Italy Dimensions of inequality in Italy: household income; labor market; wealth; the impact of the green transition on inequality and the labor market; territorial gaps and development policies: the case of Southern ItalyCore Documentation
slides including referencesAttendance
requiredType of evaluation
Write and discuss a short essay on a selected topic of the programme.