Income Inequality - MATH 118 - Mathematics for Arts & Humanities - LibGuides at California State University, East Bay

Videos on Income Equality

A look at income inequality in the United States from the mid-20th century and onward through statistics.

A beginner-friendly introduction to one way income inequality can be calculated mathematically and represented on a graph.

Offers an introduction to income inequality, some clarification/critique of the Gini Index, and expands upon social, economic, and political factors behind the mathematical representation of inequality.

The Pew Research Center presents statistics on how Americans are thinking about economic - including income - inequality.

Other Readings on Income Equality

Opposing Viewpoints: Income Equality
[Library Resource, netID login required] In the following viewpoint, Joseph E. Stiglitz argues that wealth in America has become too concentrated in the top 1 percent. He contends that the growth in wealth of the rich, along with a decrease in wealth of the middle class, has caused severe inequality that has several negative effects. Stiglitz claims that the rich have influenced policy in such a way that the inequality is now self-perpetuating and threatens to result in social unrest.
Opposing Viewpoints: 2023 Report on Income Inequality
[Library Resource - netID login required] An overview report on income inequality.
On the Mathematics of Income Inequality: Splitting the Gini Index in Two
[Library Resource - netID login required] An article that discusses concepts explored in the videos above, like the Gini index and Lorenz curve, and proposes changes to better capture realistic data on income distribution.
U.S. Census Bureau Income Data Tables
Want to see the data for yourself? You can browse the Census Bureau's data tables here (hint: the "Income in the United States: 2021" page has tables specifically on income inequality).
2021 Income Inequality Increased for First Time Since 2011
An article with helpful graphs describing some of the U.S. Census data included in the data tables above.

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

MATH 118 - Mathematics for Arts & Humanities

Books in the Library on Income Inequality

Videos on Income Equality

Other Readings on Income Equality