Thomas Picketty

Capital in the 21st Century

24:47 min
Economics, Politics, History
685 pages, 2013

In "Capital in the 21st Century," Thomas Piketty examines wealth and inequality across three centuries. This short explores how, despite technological progress and economic growth, the basic structures of capital accumulation have remained largely unchanged. Piketty investigates the concerning trend of wealth concentration, where inherited fortunes grow faster than earned incomes, potentially threatening democratic values and social mobility. Using historical data from 20 countries, this work offers a clear view of how capital, labor, and inheritance shape our economy. Piketty suggests bold solutions, including a global tax on capital, in an effort to create a more equitable future for coming generations.

Thomas Picketty

Thomas Piketty is a prominent French economist and professor at the Paris School of Economics. His research focuses on wealth and income inequality, analyzing historical data to examine long-term trends in wealth distribution. Piketty's work has contributed significantly to economic discussions about the growing concentration of wealth and its effects on society and policy. His findings have fueled debates among economists, policymakers, and the public about the nature of capitalism and potential solutions to economic disparities.

Chapters

Economic growth hasn't fundamentally altered wealth inequality. High capital returns relative to growth rates increase the importance of inherited wealth, potentially undermining democratic values and social mobility in slow-growth economies.
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Cover of Capital in the 21st Century