Origins & Early Life

Thomas Piketty (French: [tɔmɑ pikɛti]; born 7 May 1971) is a French economist who is a professor of economics at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), associate chair at the Paris School of Economics (PSE) and Centennial Professor of Economics in the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics (LSE). Piketty's work focuses on public economics, in particular income and wealth inequality. He is the author of the best-selling book Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2013), which emphasises the themes of his work on wealth concentrations and distribution over the past 250 years. The book argues that the rate of capital return in developed countries is persistently greater than the rate of economic growth, and that this will cause wealth inequality to increase in the future.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Piketty proposes improving the education systems and considers diffusion of knowledge, diffusion of skills, diffusion of idea of productivity as the main mechanism that will lead to lower inequality. In 2019, his book Capital and Ideology was published, which focuses on income inequality in various societies in history. His 2022 A Brief History of Equality is a much...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adriano Giannini — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Italian actor known for dubbing and roles in film and television.
• Alison Krauss — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• Audie Murphy — Contemporary (Died in 1971) (1971): Decorated WWII soldier and celebrated Hollywood actor.
• Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt — Shared historical date (05-07 · Died) (1915): American sportsman and businessman, known for his involvement in pioneering endeavors.
• Antonio Salieri — Shared historical date (05-07 · Died) (1825): Pivotal Italian composer and teacher of the late 18th-century classical opera.
• Bennett Cerf — Historical peer (Died in 1971) (1971): American publisher, author, and co-founder of Random House.
• Benny Boom — Historical peer (Born in 1971) (1971): American director known for music videos and the film All Eyez on Me.
• Bernadette Lafont — Historical peer (Died in 2013) (2013): Iconic French actress, celebrated for her role in the New Wave movement.
• Bobby Bland — Historical peer (Died in 2013) (2013): Pioneering blues and soul artist known for tempestuous arias of love and betrayal.
• Agnès Varda — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
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