Visualizing Income Distribution: A Comparison of Countries by GDP Per Capita and Income Deciles

Our World in Data

Data-Driven Policies to Reduce Inequality

Identifying Causal Mechanisms in Economics

Taxation as a Source of Economic and Social Data

The Social Role of Economic Data

The Interdisciplinary Nature of Economic History

Data Availability: A Contrast Between Historical and Modern Economists

The Interplay of Data and Theory in Economics

Rising Within-Country Income Inequality in Recent Decades

An economist develops a highly sophisticated mathematical model to explain the causes of wealth inequality. However, they have not yet consulted any historical data, such as tax records or national accounts, to see if the model's assumptions align with observed facts. Based on the arguments about the fundamental role of data in modern economic research, what is the primary weakness of this economist's initial approach?

Resolving a Debate on Economic Inequality

Based on the discussion about the fundamental role of data in economic research, match each economist's specific argument or shared principle to the statement that best describes it.

The Dual Function of Data in Economic Inquiry

The Shift in Economic Methodology

Based on the principles of data-driven economic inquiry, the systematic collection and public presentation of empirical facts about inequality is considered a sufficient condition to resolve the social and political conflicts that arise from wealth disparities.

Investigating the Rise of Income Inequality

Evaluating Competing Economic Explanations

An economist is investigating the recent rise in wealth disparity in a specific country. Based on the principles of data-driven economic inquiry, arrange the following research steps into the most logical and effective sequence.

Two groups are debating a new policy to address economic inequality. Group 1 presents a highly complex economic theory predicting negative outcomes but offers no historical data to support its claims. Group 2 presents extensive historical data from other countries suggesting the policy would be effective but does not offer a detailed theory to explain the mechanisms. Based on the principles of modern, data-driven economic inquiry, which group's position offers a more constructive starting point for a rational policy discussion?

World Inequality Database (WID)