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POLI-S426
Economie politique des revenus et des inégalités en Europe et dans le monde
Course teacher(s)
Jean Luc DE MEULEMEESTER (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
french
Course content
Course summary: 1. Defining public policy, income distribution and income policy; 2. Measurement of income, the macro perspective; 3. Evolution of the shares of labour and capital in national income since the 50s, links with the macroeconomic evolution and the economic policies; 4. Measuring inequalities (wages and incomes); 5. Causes of inequalities (human capital theory is presented) and of rising inequalities (skill-biased technological change; globalisation); 6. some philosophical reflections on the acceptable level of inequalities - theories of social justice; 7. application: setting minimum wage or unconditional basic income for all citizens?; 8. Income inequalities and economic efficiency; 9. macroeconomics and income distribution
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
Stressing the usefulness of economic tools and theories to understand key contemporary issue on the optimal level of income inequalities (both within and between countries) both in terms of equity and efficiency. Present some key stylized facts of the economic history of income distribution. Provide students with tools to analyse such issue by themselves.
Teaching methods and learning activities
Lectures given by the professor complemented by references to articles to be read in complementarity.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
Ishikawa, T. (2001), Income and Wealth. Oxford, Oxford University Press; Piketty, T. (2004), L'économie des inégalités. Paris, La Découverte (Repères); Vanderborght, Y. et P. Van Parijs (2005), L'allocation universelle. Paris, La Découverte (Repère).
Other information
Contacts
Voir annuaire du personnel ULB (e-mail, etc...)
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Other
Other
Written examination at the end of the semester.