On the long-run dynamics of income and wealth inequality

Abstract We analyse top income and wealth shares data, by conducting a robust estimation of trends, tests for structural breaks, determining persistence. include Anglo-Saxon countries, continental Europe Asian grouped under different percentiles deciles, spanning period that is at least close to century. find the almost all countries are characterised broken or level shifts. The preponderance trend breaks appears in 1970s 1980s where after negative changes magnitude direction. Finally, shocks share data not transitory, which have consequences policy such as advocating redistributive measures.