The start of 2017 has brought very sad news as we learn of the passing of Professor Tony Atkinson, one of Britain's best economists.
Professor Atkinson's life-long academic focus has been on the causes and consequences of income and wealth inequality and then in shaping policy ideas and strategies to promote more inclusive economic growth. He truly has been a giant in helping analyse how society is performing.
This is a strongly recommended read:
Only in November 2016 did he launch (to much acclaim) a major World Bank report on poverty.
Tony Atkinson’s World Bank Commission report on measuring global poverty launched @oxmartinschoolVideo + coverage
In this superb talk at the RSA in June 2015, Professor Atkinson set out concrete policy proposals that could bring about a genuine shift in the distribution of income towards less inequality.
Further reactions to the news of the passing of Sir Tony Atkinson is being curated here
Huge loss for economics & especially for econ of inequality, as Tony Atkinson, one of the all-time greats, passes.
Sir Tony Atkinson inspired generations of inequality experts @BrankoMilan @ChristophLakner @gabriel_zucman@PikettyLeMonde. He'll be missed.
RIP Tony Atkinson -- pioneer in inequality research, founder of LIS, and a wonderful person. A tragic loss.
A lifetime's work studying #inequality @UniofOxford Tony #Atkinson's 15 policy recommendations to reduce inequality
Sad to hear of the death of @RoyalStatSoc Honorary Fellow Tony Atkinson - a giant on inequality data
Very sorry to hear of the death of Tony Atkinson. I talked to him about inequality in 2015
Tony Atkinson RIP. Among many achievements, huge contribution to improving quality of data on income & wealth.
Sad to hear of the death of @RoyalStatSoc Honorary Fellow Tony Atkinson - a giant on inequality data
If we are concerned about equality of opportunity tomorrow, we need to be concerned about inequality of outcome today" - Tony Atkinson
Seconded. Atkinson & Stiglitz 1st real economics book I read when I started at Treasury in 1987 - still a classic.
If we are concerned about equality of opportunity tomorrow, we need concern about inequality of outcome today
