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<p>Looking at both the Gini coefficients ex-ante as well as at the Gini coefficients ex-post reveals that the distribution of personal incomes has become more unequal in the USA in the periods between 1947 and 2020. This paper investigates the possible underlying concepts of income distribution targets and argues, based on empirical findings, that neither clear electoral/partisan cycles nor station-arity (equilibrium) in the figures of income distribution of the USA can be detected. Instead, one observes an unbroken cyclical upward trend in inequality, which contributes significantly to the fission in the US society and economy. Surprisingly, as measured by the results produced by US presidents on the national level since 1947, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party have made similar contributions to lowering the inequality.</p>
</abstract>

Looking at both the Gini coefficients ex-ante as well as at the Gini coefficients ex-post reveals that the distribution of personal incomes has become more unequal in the USA in the periods between 1947 and 2020. This paper investigates the possible underlying concepts of income distribution targets and argues, based on empirical findings, that neither clear electoral/partisan cycles nor station-arity (equilibrium) in the figures of income distribution of the USA can be detected. Instead, one observes an unbroken cyclical upward trend in inequality, which contributes significantly to the fission in the US society and economy. Surprisingly, as measured by the results produced by US presidents on the national level since 1947, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party have made similar contributions to lowering the inequality.

Rising Inequality of Personal Incomes in the USA: Politically Unwanted, Yet Tolerated?

Wirtschaftsdienst

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hohe und weiter steigende Ungleichheit in den USA – politisch nicht gewollt und doch geduldet?

Looking at both the Gini coefficients ex-ante as well as at the Gini coefficients ex-post reveals that the distribution of personal incomes has become more...

Rising Inequality of Personal Incomes in the USA: Politically Unwanted, Yet Tolerated?

Publié en ligne: 20 juin 2024

Pages: 420 - 426

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/wd-2024-0109

© 2024 Friedrich L. Sell, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.