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Rising Inequality, Public Policy, and America's Poor

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  • Lane Kenworthy

Abstract

Those who defended the American model during its long period of growing income inequality argued that rising incomes at the top would result in faster economic growth and therefore rising incomes for those at the bottom. When looking at experiences in many countries, Lane Kenworthy finds that was not the case. Nor was it the case that rising incomes at the top measurably hurt the poor. It was public policy that made the difference.

Suggested Citation

  • Lane Kenworthy, 2010. "Rising Inequality, Public Policy, and America's Poor," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(6), pages 93-109.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:challe:v:53:y:2010:i:6:p:93-109
    DOI: 10.2753/0577-5132530606
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthony B. Atkinson & Thomas Piketty & Emmanuel Saez, 2011. "Top Incomes in the Long Run of History," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 49(1), pages 3-71, March.
    2. Robert Moffitt & John Karl Scholz, 2010. "Trends in the Level and Distribution of Income Support," NBER Chapters, in: Tax Policy and the Economy, Volume 24, pages 111-152, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Timothy M. Smeeding, 2005. "Public Policy, Economic Inequality, and Poverty: The United States in Comparative Perspective," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 86(s1), pages 955-983, December.
    4. Andrews Dan & Jencks Christopher & Leigh Andrew, 2011. "Do Rising Top Incomes Lift All Boats?," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-45, January.
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    Cited by:

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