Micro data from audited tax returns are used to evaluate changes in the actual progressivity of U.S. federal income taxes in 1979 and 1988, which is distinct from apparent progressivity. Statistical inference methods are applied to global measures of both actual and apparent residual and...

Recent increases in earnings inequality have been described as "enormous." Is it that we are experiencing a unique shift toward greater inequality, or are we returning to a more normal state of affairs for the American economy? The recent availability of six decades of data together with...

This paper investigates the impact of economic growth, and more specifically robust economic growth along with other macroeconomic determinants, on poverty levels using both the U.S. official measure of poverty and an estimated time series of Sen indices of poverty. The results reveal that the...

This paper examines the characteristics of entry level academic economists and investigates the determinants of market salaries. Contrary to what might be expected we find that nominal salaries are not systematically adjusted to reflect observable differences in the cost of living and salary...

This paper examines the characteristics of entry level academic economists and investigates the determinants of market salaries. Contrary to what might be expected, we find that nominal salaries are not systematically adjusted to reflect observable differences in the cost of living. Our findings...

This paper estimates income gap ratios and Gini coefficients of poor Americans and combines them with official U.S. government poverty statistics to create a new time series of Sen indices of poverty. The effects of growth and other determinants of aggregate poverty are investigated over the...