Inequality: What Can Be Done? by Anthony B Atkinson review – a concrete plan for a fairer society

The doyen of inequality economics in the UK makes an urgent call for political intervention in an economy that favours the rich

^“You say you want a revolution,” sang John Lennon, before adding a characteristic barb: “we’d all love to see the plan”.

The way the world’s economic establishment discusses inequality invites a Lennonist response. After decades of denying any problem, it came to accept that there was an issue during the slump. Just before taking office, David Cameron would invoke The Spirit Level, and – more recently still – earnest executives have chatted about Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the 21st Century at Davos. It is terrific that such books have become fashionable, but as long as the discussion remains in the realm of generalities – as long as we haven’t seen “the plan” – it will be less than threatening to the have-a-lots, and less than useful to the have-nots.

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