Inequality and Poverty since the 1970s

Abstract

Inequality has once again become a major public policy issue in Chile. Despite effective efforts made from the 1990s to reverse the ramping inequality of the 1970s and 1980s, poverty is still a fact of life for too many Chileans; a sharp inequality in opportunities, wealth, and income still prevails. Lack of equity is a marked feature of the Chilean economy and society.

I am grateful for the valuable comments of David Bravo, Juan Carlos Feres, Osvaldo Larrañaga, Carlos Massad, Jaime Ruiz-Tagle P., Jaime Ruiz-Tagle V., and Humberto Vega; the exchange of views with Harald Beyer, Leonardo Moreno, Dagmar Raczynski, Joseph Ramos, Claudia Sanhueza, Claudio Santibañez, Daniel Titelman, Arístides Torche, and Andras Uthoff; and the efficient assistance of Rodrigo Heresi, Heriberto Tapia, David Coble, and Felipe Labrín.