ASU SPEAKER: The Myth of Skyrocketing Inequality

SAN ANGELO, TX – Dr. Phillip Magness, the F.A. Hayek Chair in Economics and Economic Research at the American Institute for Economic Research, will give a special guest presentation at Angelo State University on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mathematics-Computer Science (MCS) Building, 2200 Dena Drive.

Sponsored by the Texas Tech University Free Market Institute at Angelo State University, Magness' presentation will take place in Room 100 of the MCS Building and is free and open to the public.

In his presentation titled "The Myth of Skyrocketing Inequality," Magness will examine patterns of economic inequality over the last century to answer the questions, "Is inequality skyrocketing in the U.S.?" and "Are low federal tax rates to blame?" He will also discuss how recent data findings indicate that claims of skyrocketing inequality are wildly exaggerated, and that external factors like recessions and wars, rather than economic policy, are responsible for changing levels of income concentration.

Also a research fellow at the Independent Institute libertarian think tank, Magness previously spent over a decade teaching public policy, economics and international trade at various institutions, including American University, George Mason University and Berry College. His work encompasses the economic history of the U.S. and Atlantic world with specializations in the economic dimensions of slavery and racial discrimination, history of taxation, and measurements of economic inequality over time.

A prolific researcher, Magness' work has appeared in the Journal of Political Economy, Economic Journal, Economic Enquiry and Journal of Business Ethics. Additionally, his popular writings have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Newsweek, Politico, National Review and Chronicle of Higher Education. He holds a doctorate from the George Mason University School of Public Policy.

The TTU Free Market Institute at ASU aims to advance research and teaching related to the free enterprise system and the institutional environment necessary for it to function well, and to support the missions of the ASU Norris-Vincent College of Business. The institute also develops and operates student and public programming for the benefit of ASU students and the San Angelo community.