Growing inequalities in the American model

Economic inequalities have become a major focus of academic research as well as policy makers’ deliberations. In the United States, while some of the renewed interest in this subject can be attributed to questions surrounding the election of Donald Trump, it is not the only factor: even before the election, the work of Thomas Piketty on the growth in inequalities had already fuelled considerable controversy and had been commented on in numerous research papers. Deliberations on globalisation and openness to trade have also raised questions as to their impact on economic inequalities. As the United States is a society that was founded on the promotion of access to opportunities for all, i.e. on equity and equality of opportunity rather than equality itself, the question as to the balance between inequalities and opportunities (do inequalities foster opportunities or rather do they hinder them?) often arises. This question is particularly pertinent today. Certain commentators have come to the bleak conclusion that the “American dream” has been appropriated by the wealthiest members of society or by a small fraction of the middle class and that the United States is gradually becoming a class-based society.