Explaining Wealth Inequality: Property, Possession and Policy Reform

ISBN-13: 9781032037387 / Angielski

Benedict Atkinson

Opis

This book discusses the origins of wealth inequality and explains how societies can reform to avoid the catastrophe of inequality-induced social breakdown. It develops a theoretical and practical understanding of the principles behind the concept of ownership and property, complete with historical examples.

It proposes a new research perspective focusing on how the problem of wealth concentration is ameliorated by cooperative and collaborative initiatives to enhance the public sphere, without derogating from the private. The book is based on research data compiled from taxation and household data to explore the theme that wealth inequality is made inevitable by possessive behaviour expressed in possessive language. It shows that while inequality is inescapable, we can adopt policies where resources are more efficiently and broadly distributed for public benefit. Such policies are directed towards encouraging voluntary, as opposed to compulsory, wealth transfer to achieve public good.

The primary market for the book consists of academics and students from the fields of economics, including growth and developmental economics, law, sociology, history, business and international trade. It also provides a practical resource for government policy analysts wanting to develop a more detailed understanding of the role played by wealth inequality in a range of social problems.

Spis treści

Part 1. Possession and Property   1. Language and Possession   2. Grammar and Property Systems   3. Possession and Exclusion   4. Crypto-Freedom and Privacy   5. Social Consequences of Ownership   6. Wealth Concentration   Part 2. Inequality and Distribution   7. Paratrophic Action   8. Proposals   References

O autorze

Benedict Atkinson is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the School of Business, James Cook University Singapore.