Topics on the economics of inequality

Kontos, Konstantinos; Κόντος, Κωνσταντίνος Α.

Doctoral Thesis

Author

Kontos, Konstantinos

Κόντος, Κωνσταντίνος Α.

Date

2026

Advisor

Chletsos, Theologos - Michail
Χλέτσος, Θεολόγος - Μιχαήλ

Keywords

Health inequality ; Labor economics ; International migration ; Political economy ; Political institutions ; Income inequality

Abstract

Economic inequality is one of the most significant socioeconomic challenges of the modern era, as it affects economic growth, social cohesion, the functioning of democratic institutions, and the formulation of public policy. Although the existing literature has identified a wide range of determinants of income inequality, important research gaps remain regarding the role of certain institutional, demographic, and social factors. This doctoral dissertation seeks to contribute to addressing these gaps by empirically investigating the impact of three determinants of income inequality: political inequality, immigration, and health inequality. The dissertation begins with a comprehensive review of the theoretical and empirical literature on economic inequality. It examines the historical evolution of inequality from premodern societies to the modern era, discusses the principal theoretical approaches, and reviews the most widely used measures of income and wealth inequality. The first chapter examines the relationship between political inequality and income inequality. The central hypothesis is that inequalities in political participation, representation, and influence over the policymaking process affect the design of public policies by limiting their redistributive effectiveness and reinforcing the concentration of income among higher-income groups. The second chapter investigates the impact of immigration on income inequality. The analysis focuses on the mechanisms through which migration flows affect labor markets, economic growth, fiscal policy, and the distribution of income. The third chapter examines the relationship between health inequality and income inequality. Health is treated as a fundamental component of human capital that influences productivity, labor market participation, and individuals' capacity to generate income. The principal contribution of this dissertation lies in its empirical investigation of three distinct yet interconnected dimensions of economic inequality using comparable cross-country data and contemporary econometric methods. The findings underline the fact that income inequality is not solely the outcome of economic processes but is also shaped by a broader set of institutional, social, and demographic factors. Consequently, keeping income inequality under control requires comprehensive public policies that strengthen democratic participation, promote the social integration of immigrants, and reduce inequalities in both access to healthcare and health outcomes.