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Wealth inequality in the United States

Publication ,  Journal Article
Keister, LA; Moller, S
Published in: Annual Review of Sociology
January 1, 2000

Wealth ownership in the United States has long been concentrated in the hands of a small minority of the population, yet researchers have paid relatively little attention to the causes and consequences of this inequality. In this essay, we review the literature that does exist on wealth accumulation and distribution. We begin with an examination of the reasons that wealth inequality has received little empirical attention. We then discuss methods of creating empirical estimates of wealth accumulation and distribution, and we present some estimates of recent trends in wealth inequality. We explore a diverse collection of research that explains these trends, covering treatments of aggregate influences and individual and household factors. We conclude the chapter with a review of research on intergenerational processes and wealth mobility. Copyright © 2000 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved.

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Published In

Annual Review of Sociology

DOI

ISSN

0360-0572

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

26

Start / End Page

63 / 81

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1608 Sociology
  • 1505 Marketing
 

Citation

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Keister, L. A., & Moller, S. (2000). Wealth inequality in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.63
Keister, L. A., and S. Moller. “Wealth inequality in the United States.” Annual Review of Sociology 26 (January 1, 2000): 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.63.
Keister LA, Moller S. Wealth inequality in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology. 2000 Jan 1;26:63–81.
Keister, L. A., and S. Moller. “Wealth inequality in the United States.” Annual Review of Sociology, vol. 26, Jan. 2000, pp. 63–81. Scopus, doi:10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.63.
Keister LA, Moller S. Wealth inequality in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology. 2000 Jan 1;26:63–81.

Published In

Annual Review of Sociology

DOI

ISSN

0360-0572

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

26

Start / End Page

63 / 81

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 1608 Sociology
  • 1505 Marketing