Skip to main content

Why Is Inequality Increasing in a Digital World?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Technology and Inequality

Abstract

This chapter reviews arguments about the relationship between technology and inequality, the evidence for rising inequality in the most technologically advanced economies, and why rising inequality in a digital world is surprising. It presents two main schools of thought about the relationship—the ‘technological’ school, and the ‘institutional context’ school. Finally, it proposes identifying new mechanisms for restoring technology as an engine of opportunity .

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan P. Allen .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Allen, J.P. (2017). Why Is Inequality Increasing in a Digital World?. In: Technology and Inequality. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56958-1_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics