Press Archive

What is wrong in the USA? This week, we are discussing this hot topic with sociologist and inequality researcher Fabian Pfeffer, who has studied and researched in the USA for a long time. In this detailed interview, we also talk about educational mobility, reasons for the high wealth inequality in Germany and problems of class analysis.

In view of the concentration of wealth among a very small group, wealth and inheritance taxes are by no means radical, said sociologist Fabian Pfeffer on Deutschlandfunk. Although these could not eliminate inequality in the distribution of wealth, they could at least slow down its further increase.

An initiative is coming from the CDU calling for a return to wealth tax. The tenor of Monica Wüller from the party's social wing: “It cannot be that those who are the richest pay the least inheritance tax.” Sociologist and inequality researcher Fabian Pfeffer from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich expressed concern in the dialogue and debate format of ARD information radio broadcasters that “the shop will fall apart for us” if politicians did nothing about inequality.

The sociologist and inequality researcher from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Fabian Pfeffer, expressed the concern that “the shop will fall apart for us” if politicians do nothing about the inequality. At a time of multiple crises, people in Germany would lose confidence in the state because injustices would be felt. According to Pfeffer, it is “high time” to do something.

There is a high level of financial inequality in Germany: The richest ten percent of the population own more than half of all wealth. At the same time, there are loopholes and exceptions in tax law — preference is given to wealthy people. Is that still fair or just fair?

An invitation to the seminar, which begins with a brief description of the distribution of wealth in order to recall the extreme extent of wealth inequality in Western countries. The results of a real-utopian proposal for wealth redistribution are then presented and its opportunities and limits discussed, which ultimately leads to a new perspective on wealth inequality, namely the question of wealth redistribution or “What belongs to whom? ”

Pensions, care, health — that is what makes up the German welfare state. But spending is rising faster than income. And that will probably be even more glaring when the baby boomers retire. And then there are the rising costs of care.

If rich people had to pay higher taxes, many government benefits could be financed, says Pfeffer. This additional income could be used to improve infrastructure: “With one percent tax on assets of ten million euros or more, we would have financed ten percent of our spending on education.

Against the backdrop of current government formation and political debates, renowned speakers will analyse and discuss the challenges faced by the welfare state at the VdK Forum.

The wealth of the super-rich is taxed in uneven ways — and women bear the cost. A new study shows this affects not only wealthy women themselves, but also women more broadly.

Social justice plays a central role in the federal election campaign. Studies show that the richest ten percent own over 60 percent of Germany's wealth. Rüdiger Kronthaler introduces us to a woman from Munich who uses her wealth to help single women find accommodation. And Claudia Schaffer talks to sociologist Fabian Pfeffer about the consequences of the growing gap between rich and poor.

LMU sociologist Fabian Pfeffer explains why the extreme wealth gap harms society and democracy and distributes opportunities for future generations highly unevenly. From the research magazine INSIGHTS.

The Volkswagen Foundation is funding a research project that investigates the distribution of wealth in societies and its effects.

Extreme social inequality is endangering democracy. More equality would be better for everyone, even the most privileged. What other motivation is needed for genuine redistribution to become a social goal?

Some have a lot of money, others little - some inherit well, others may primarily inherit debts. On the distribution of wealth in Germany Prof. Fabian Pfeffer from the Chair of Social Inequality and Social Structures at LMU in Munich.

Zaid Hamad sits behind the bus for nine hours a day, Inaya Malonga has a job in an old people's home: The money is still not enough until the end of the month. In rich Munich in particular, many professionals are slipping into need.

In Munich, leading scientists such as Thomas Piketty are discussing how to close the gap between rich and poor. The model: A radical measure taken by the Federal Republic after the Second World War.

The new research center on social inequality at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) in Munich will be officially opened with a ceremony on Friday (October 11, 2024). Several international scientists working in inequality research will present perspectives and research results at the opening event, LMU announced in Munich on Monday.

“We will be relevant”: Sociologist Fabian Pfeffer about the Munich International Stone Center for Inequality Research (ISI) at LMU, which will officially open this week.

Germany is considered to be particularly unequal when it comes to the distribution of wealth. Sociologists such as Fabian Pfeffer are critical of this. However, wealth tax alone is not the solution.

Sociologist Fabian Pfeffer will set up an international center for research on social inequality at Ludwig-Maximilians-University. What role a US foundation plays in this.

Sociologist Fabian Pfeffer is researching the question of what a fairer society can look like. A conversation about huge inheritances and the question of why rich people stay rich.

Social inequality endangers democracy: Fabian Pfeffer, the founding director of the new research center for social inequality in Munich, points out the connection between wealth, power and influence.

The center will conduct research into social inequality, with a particular focus on wealth inequality.

The Munich International Stone Center for Inequality Research (ISI) is dedicated to interdisciplinary research on social inequalities. It is building an international research network to develop approaches for a fairer society. The center is funded by the Stone Foundation with five million dollars.

A research center on social inequality is being established at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU). They are pleased to have set up an institute “on such an important social issue,” said LMU President Bernd Huber in a statement on Tuesday. The “Munich International Stone Center for Inequality Research” will research social inequality and in particular wealth inequality.

The Munich International Stone Center for Inequality Research (ISI) is founded at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU).