Intergenerational inequality and the intergenerational state

Abstract

Inequality between generations is a central feature of human societies. Moreover, within human societies many institutions have developed that mould and shape intergenerational inequality, including the state. Nevertheless, intergenerational inequality has typically been only loosely defined as a concept. This article examines intergenerational inequality in income, as well as how the state works to alter intergenerational inequality in income through the redistributive effect of public transfers. In order to provide greater definition to the concept of intergenerational inequality, the article introduces a new measure of intergenerational inequality: the IGI index. Building on this index, t..