Democracy and Inequality in the Americas

Income and wealth inequality have become common problems across the Americas. In the USA, the share of pre-tax income in the hands of the top 1% almost doubled between the early 1980's and the present, going from 11% to 20%. In Brazil, it’s six richest men control as much wealth as the bottom half of the population; even more staggering, the richest 0.1% makes in a month the same as a worker receiving the minimum wage earns in 19 years. How can we fight against inequality? Are the challenges and opportunities the same in the United States and Latin America? This conference will gather academics and practitioners based in North America but working on inequality across the region. We will explore the historical changes and policies that led to the increase in inequality, the policies required to fight against income concentration and, more importantly, the political actors and processes that can both obstruct and contribute to the fight against inequality.