"What people like is this is a readable account of issues that people care a lot about," Mr Piketty told AFP after a sold-out event launching the book in London, organised by the IPPR centre-left think tank.
"There's always been concern about inequality, but what's new in the book is that I put a lot of historical data together. Until recently there was relatively little evidence.
"Here, at least people know what they're fighting about - this is not going to put an end to the political fight about inequality, but maybe we will have a more informed fight."
Mr Piketty uses data from the past two centuries across 20 countries to demonstrate how inherited wealth has ensured the dominance of a small class of people and will continue to do so unless action is taken.
He rejects the widely-held argument that economic growth in the capitalist system benefits everyone, and advocates a punitive global tax on wealth to address the problem.
Among the 250-strong guests at the London event was an advisor to British opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband, who said in a speech in February that "tackling inequality is the new centre ground of politics".
more
{ 0 comments... » Thomas Piketty wants 'informed fight' on inequality read them below or add one }
Post a Comment