Wealth in America Trends in Wealth Inequality [Hardcover]

Utilizing existing data and new research methods, Keister examines househould wealth distribution from 1962 to 1995.Keister synthesizes theory and data from various sources to present a detailed picture of househould wealth distribution from 1962-1995. Utilizing existing survey data and a unique simulation model, the author examines processes that create this distribution, paying particular attention to the wealth ownership and accumulation of top wealth holders. She identifies trends in wealth mobility that are not possible to estimate with traditional research methods. The results underscore the importance of wealth as an indicator of well-being, identify important causes of wealth inequality, and propose methods of lessening increases in wealth concentration.Keister synthesizes theory and data from various sources to present a detailed picture of househould wealth distribution from 1962-1995. Utilizing existing survey data and a unique simulation model, the author examines processes that create this distribution, paying particular attention to the wealth ownership and accumulation of top wealth holders. She identifies trends in wealth mobility that are not possible to estimate with traditional research methods. The results underscore the importance of wealth as an indicator of well-being, identify important causes of wealth inequality, and propose methods of lessening increases in wealth concentration.Wealth ownership in the United States has long been concentrated in the hands of a small minority of the population. Because of scarce data on wealth ownership, the nature of wealth ownership distribution and knowledge about wealth inequality has received relatively little attention from social scientists. Keister synthesizes theory and data from various sources to present a detailed picture of household wealth distribution from 1962-1995. Utilizing existing survey data and a unique simulation model, the author isolates and examines processes that create thislC÷