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Curated by Project Syndicate

Unequal at Any Speed?

28 commentaries

The 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath have focused widespread attention on economic inequality – all the more so because the gains from revived growth have accrued almost entirely to the rich. What explains persistent growth in wealth and income disparities, and how should governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and local communities respond?

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  1. The Capitalist Threat to Capitalism
    Capitalism Books_deckhand_Flickr deckhand/Flickr

    The Capitalist Threat to Capitalism

    May 23, 2014 Paul Polman & Lynn Forester de Rothschild call on companies and governments to unite in the search for an inclusive and sustainable economy.

  2. Where Is the Inequality Problem?
    WealthyRichHarrods_Chris JL_Flickr Chris JL/Flickr

    Where Is the Inequality Problem?

    May 8, 2014 Kenneth Rogoff says that Thomas Piketty is right about rich countries, but wrong about the world.

  3. The Right’s Piketty Problem

    The Right’s Piketty Problem

    Apr 30, 2014 J. Bradford DeLong is surprised by the poverty of conservative criticism of Capital in the Twenty-First Century.

  4. The Oligarchy Fallacy

    The Oligarchy Fallacy

    Apr 22, 2014 Jeffrey Frankel argues that attacking the ultra-rich is an inefficient way to reduce inequality.

  5. East Africa’s Prosperity Gap
    PovertyAfrica_Gates Foundation_Flickr The Gates Foundation/Flickr

    East Africa’s Prosperity Gap

    Mar 5, 2014 Michael Meyer points out that the region's rapid economic growth is overwhelmingly benefiting the very rich.

  6. From Poverty to Empowerment

    From Poverty to Empowerment

    Mar 3, 2014 Subir Gokarn & Anu Madgavkar propose a broad set of measures to lift Indians' standard of living.

  1. scherger1ARMEND NIMANIAFP via Getty Images_farming ARMEND NIMANI/AFP via Getty Images
    Free to read

    Carbon Farming Won't Save the Planet

    Sophie Scherger warns that soil-storage offsets may serve as a smokescreen for polluting industries.
  2. bildt129_MaximShipenkovGettyImages_valdai_putin_fail Maxim Shipenkov/Getty Images

    Putin’s March of Folly

    Carl Bildt argues that Russia’s president has only his own poor decisions to blame for his country’s loss of status.
  3. hausmann117_TONY KARUMBAAFP via Getty Images_africawindfarm Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images

    A Better Approach to Climate Finance

    Ricardo Hausmann

    By harnessing the capabilities of developing countries, we can accelerate global decarbonization while creating new growth opportunities. This approach would not only advance crucial climate goals but also ensure that a larger share of the world’s population can enjoy the fruits of the clean-energy transition.

    shows how developing countries can accelerate global decarbonization while creating new growth opportunities.
  4. ghosh83_CHRISTIAN MONTERROSAAFP via Getty Images_trump cop CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images

    Trump’s Bad COP

    Jayati Ghosh says the Paris climate agreement’s future depends on how other countries respond to the new US administration.
  5. goldberg32_Spencer PlattGetty Images_USshipping Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    Are Tariffs Worth It?

    Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg thinks the risks and costs for the US will far outweigh any potential political or geopolitical benefits.
  6. schalatek1_Resul RehimovAnadolu via Getty Images_cop29 Resul Rehimov/Anadolu via Getty Images
    Free to read

    Is the Loss and Damage Fund Becoming an Empty Promise?

    Liane Schalatek warns that rich countries are once again shirking their responsibility to provide adequate climate finance.
  7. mazzucato77_PABLOPORCIUNCULAGettyImages_G20_summit_prostest PABLO PORCIUNCULA/Getty Images

    How Global Public Investment Should Work

    Mariana Mazzucato & Jonathan Glennie

    Addressing problems like climate change and biodiversity loss calls for new thinking about how to mobilize the huge volume of financing that will be needed. International cooperation must be re-framed as a collective endeavor in which all countries benefit, contribute, and make investment decisions together.

    propose a new model to unlock financing for action on climate change, biodiversity loss, and other issues.
  8. palacio163_Dominika ZarzyckaSOPA ImagesLightRocket via Getty Images_cop29finance Dominika Zarzycka/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    COP29 Must Deliver the Goods

    Ana Palacio hopes that geopolitical uncertainty will not thwart ambitious, credible climate-finance commitments.
  9. ngilman1_Ivan LiemanAFP via Getty Images_rwandagorilla Ivan Lieman/AFP via Getty Images

    Interspecies Money Is Here

    Nils Gilman & Mutesi Rusagara look beyond the first ever payments to animals and see a new model for human-wildlife economic collaboration.

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