History of Equality

History of Equality by Thomas Piketty (2022) 288 pages

A slim volume compared to his earlier work, the thousand page Capital, Pitketty addresses the history of equality and uses unique datasets to bolster his arguments. Unlike other works on the pernicious problem of income inequality, Piketty mines historical datasets, extrapolating empirical evidence illustrating the problem. He brings into focus the changes in society and culture that have lead to a precipitous increase in equality in the 20th century. 

He also addresses solutions to the ongoing problem (which he emphasizes is not zero-sum) such as reparations, structural mandates to resolve racial and gender shortfalls in economies and other novel approaches. Although many of his examples are Eurocentric, he brings into focus shortfalls (and the rare successes) in the United States, China and the rest of the world.  Most alarming for this reader is the constant lack of movement in the status of the lowest 50% of the income ladder -- little change in hundreds of years.