Course directory

OAFP 5950 - Economic Inequalities and Policies

OAFP 5950 · Fall semester 2026-2027

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Cours séminaire
Number of hours
24
Credits
4

Information

Description

The course aims in a first instance to provide a solid understanding of the extent and development of economic inequality in several dimensions, as well as of its conceptual, methodological and statistical foundations. Second, it identifies the possible driving forces and causes of the observed trends in inequality. In a third instance, the course will discuss the multiple possible consequences of inequality on the economy and the society. Finally, the course aims to review, analyse and discuss existing or desirable measures to reduce inequality – with the view of identifying evidence-based policies.

The objective is to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and instruments to analyse economic inequalities and policy solutions. Throughout the course, the emphasis is on a cross-country international comparative approach, focusing on EU and OECD countries and selected key emerging economies. In that context, the changing role and impact of international organisations, such as the European Commission, the ILO, the IMF and the OECD will be highlighted.

Prerequisites

(strong) interest in distributional issues

Teaching format

The sessions will be organised in an interactive mode. The teacher will develop the issues of the session, presenting the main results of relevant research on the analysed topic. Each of the topics will be discussed collectively and, as much as possible, in group work. Several sessions will benefit from external interventions and discussions with international high-level experts and policy advisors, via zoom.

Assessment

Presence is mandatory in all sessions. Students are also expected to organize and participate in collective debates, particularly on policy solutions to excessive economic inequality. Students will be asked to prepare short introductive input presentations to each session. They will also be asked to prepare a written analytic paper or book review during the course. For the last session, participants will be working in groups and will be asked to present, discuss and comment on a research question provided a fortnight ahead.

written seminar paper25%
group presentations and discussions25%
input presentations25%
participation and contributions in class25%

Workload

Before each session of the course, students are required to read the assigned literature and, if applicable, watch dedicated videos (accessible on moodle). On this basis, students will also be asked to prepare short introductive input presentations to the sessions.

Readings

Main readings 3

  1. Atkinson, A.B. (2015), Inequality – What Can be Done?, Cambridge MA and London England, Harvard University Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674979789

    Read online

  2. Nolan, B. (2018), Inequality and Inclusive Growth in Rich Countries: Shared Challenges and Contrasting Fortunes, Chapter 2 (pp. 11 – 40), Oxford, Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198807032.001.0001

    Read online

  3. Selected chapters from OECD flagship publications on inequality, available/downloadable via OECD Library (https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/)

Further readings 6

  1. Atkinson, A.B. and F. Bourguignon (eds.) (2015), Handbook of Income Distribution, Volume 2A-2B, selected sections, Elsevier, https://www.sciencedirect.com/handbook/handbook-of-income-distribution/vol/2/

  2. Blanchard, O. and D. Rodrik (eds.) (2021), Combating Inequality – Rethinking Governments Role, selected chapters, Cambridge MA and London England, MIT Press. https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547253/combating-inequality/

    Borrow

  3. Milanovic, B. (2016), Global Inequality: A New Approach for the Age of Globalization. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvjghwk4

  4. Piketty, T. (2022), A Brief History of Equality, Harvard University Press, https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674275898

    Borrow

  5. Salverda, W., B. Nolan and T. Smeeding (eds.) (2011), The Oxford Handbook of Income Inequality, selected chapters, Oxford, Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199606061.001.0001

  6. Selected sections and chapters from OECD flagship publications on inequality, available/downloadable via OECD Library (https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/)

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
18279Cours séminaire Economic Inequalities and Policies —244