Programme

the course is composed of 4 main parts:

Part 1. Basic elements in the notion of “inequality”
- the different definitions and measures of economic inequality and poverty
Part 2. The main empirical evidence on the extent of today’s economic inequalities
the main causes and consequences of these inequalities
also some attention to the effects on how economic inequality is intertwined with environmental inequalities
Part 3. Economic inequalities and social justice
Introduction to the main theories of distributive justice (study of the ethical foundations of redistribution)
focus on market inequalities
the defense based on freedom; desert/merit; the ”virtues” of the market; the welfare consequences of growth and the benefits for the disadvantaged (trickle down economics)
the criticism based on the role of luck and power; the ”vices” of the market; the limits of growth to fight disadvantage
Part 4. The role of Taxation in remedying economic inequalities (in a globalized world)

Core Documentation

Handouts / slides + reading list
provided on moodle / E-learning platform

Attendance

Strongly recommended

Type of evaluation

Students should be prepared to answer a series of questions concerning the topics covered in class and those in the textbook chapter list to be studied. Where necessary, students will also be required to expound on the topics with graphical representations of the theoretical models covered, following the explanations made during the lectures and as also covered extensively in the textbook. The final exam will be held in-person and will include both a written test (e.g., multiple and open-ended answers) and an oral test. In addition, attending students may choose to make a portion (usually 40 percent) of their final grade dependent on the results from a class presentation based on a case stydy chose in collaboration with the professor and elaborated during the course. Class attendance remains very important.

Programme

the course is composed of 4 main parts:

Part 1. Basic elements in the notion of “inequality”
- the different definitions and measures of economic inequality and poverty
Part 2. The main empirical evidence on the extent of today’s economic inequalities
the main causes and consequences of these inequalities
also some attention to the effects on how economic inequality is intertwined with environmental inequalities
Part 3. Economic inequalities and social justice
Introduction to the main theories of distributive justice (study of the ethical foundations of redistribution)
focus on market inequalities
the defense based on freedom; desert/merit; the ”virtues” of the market; the welfare consequences of growth and the benefits for the disadvantaged (trickle down economics)
the criticism based on the role of luck and power; the ”vices” of the market; the limits of growth to fight disadvantage
Part 4. The role of Taxation in remedying economic inequalities (in a globalized world)

Core Documentation

Handouts / slides + reading list
provided on moodle / E-learning platform

Attendance

Strongly recommended

Type of evaluation

Students should be prepared to answer a series of questions concerning the topics covered in class and those in the textbook chapter list to be studied. Where necessary, students will also be required to expound on the topics with graphical representations of the theoretical models covered, following the explanations made during the lectures and as also covered extensively in the textbook. The final exam will be held in-person and will include both a written test (e.g., multiple and open-ended answers) and an oral test. In addition, attending students may choose to make a portion (usually 40 percent) of their final grade dependent on the results from a class presentation based on a case stydy chose in collaboration with the professor and elaborated during the course. Class attendance remains very important.