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The Core Value of Public Policy Should be Equality

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Glick

    (University of Utah)

  • Gabriel A. Lozada

    (University of Utah)

  • Darren Bush

    (University of Houston)

Abstract

Research in biology and anthropology shows that humans evolved in largely egalitarian small groups; occasional selfishness was punished. Aversion to inequality is thus an inherited human characteristic. In unequal societies, humans experience stress, leading to many social pathologies, as shown by extensive literature in epidemiology. Well-being can be increased by reducing inequality, independent of increases in GDP. This is obscured by current economic theories, which use unrealistic assumptions and an empirically completely unsupported "equity-efficiency tradeoff" to justify ignoring distribution. Finally, we show that public policy can have an enormous impact on income inequality and has done so in the past.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Glick & Gabriel A. Lozada & Darren Bush, 2026. "The Core Value of Public Policy Should be Equality," Working Papers Series inetwp250, Institute for New Economic Thinking.
    • Handle: RePEc:thk:wpaper:inetwp250
    DOI: 10.36687/inetwp250
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L4 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies

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