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Capital in the Twenty-First Century

817 pages, 2017

Takeaways
Description
In this book, economist Thomas Piketty shows—using economic data that spans centuries and many societies—that returns on capital outpace the rate of economic growth in nearly all developed countries. The main driver of inequality, he says, is the tendency of wealthy people to earn more money than they spend and leave their fortunes to their children.
The Wealth Gap

Thomas Piketty's research in Capital in the Twenty-First Century shows that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. He suggests that this is due to the rate of return on capital exceeding the rate of economic growth. This means that those who already have wealth are able to accumulate more at a faster rate than those trying to earn it.

The Role of Government

Piketty argues that government intervention is necessary to prevent the wealth gap from widening further. He suggests progressive taxation and wealth redistribution as potential solutions. If you're interested in economic policy, you'll find his arguments thought-provoking.

Historical Perspective

One of the unique aspects of Capital in the Twenty-First Century is the historical perspective it provides. Piketty uses data from the past 300 years to support his arguments. This allows readers to see the long-term trends in wealth inequality, making the book a fascinating read for history buffs.

The Future of Capitalism

Piketty doesn't just look at the past, he also makes predictions about the future of capitalism. He warns that if the current trends continue, we could see a return to levels of wealth inequality not seen since the 19th century. If you're curious about the future of the global economy, this book will give you plenty to think about.

The Importance of Data

Throughout Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Piketty emphasizes the importance of data in understanding economic trends. He believes that without accurate data, we can't make informed decisions about economic policy. This book will inspire you to dig deeper into the numbers and question the assumptions behind economic theories.

Quotes 5

Piketty has transformed our economic discourse; we'll never talk about wealth and inequality the same way we used to.

Paul KrugmanPaul Krugman - Economist, Columnist

Piketty's 'Capital in the Twenty-First Century' is an intellectual tour de force, a triumph of economic history over the theoretical, mathematical modeling that has come to dominate the economics profession in recent years.

Joseph StiglitzJoseph Stiglitz - Economist, Professor

Piketty’s book is not only a milestone in economic research, it also opens a window onto the social and economic realities of our time.

Martin WolfMartin Wolf - Journalist, Author

Piketty has written an extraordinarily important book. In its scale and sweep it brings us back to the founders of political economy.

Robert SolowRobert Solow - Economist, Professor

Piketty's book, 'Capital in the Twenty-First Century', despite its huge amount of data, is a work of theory.

Branko MilanovicBranko Milanovic - Economist, Author
Paul KrugmanJoseph StiglitzMartin WolfRobert SolowBranko Milanovic

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