Global Income Inequality, 1820–2020: the Persistence and Mutation of Extreme Inequality

Abstract In this paper, we mobilize newly available historical series from the World Inequality Database to construct world income distribution estimates 1820 2020. We find that level of global inequality has always been very large, reflecting persistence a highly hierarchical economic system. Global increased between and 1910, in context rise Western dominance colonial empires, then stabilized at high 1910 Between both between-countries within-countries were increasing. contrast, these two components have moved separately 2020: Within-countries dropped 1910–1980 (while kept increasing) but rose 1980–2020 started decline). As consequence contradictory compensating evolutions, early 21st century neo-colonial capitalism involves similar levels as 20th capitalism, though it is based on different set rules institutions. also discuss how alternative such fiscal revenue sharing could lead significant drop inequality. (JEL: N30, O10, O40)