This synthesis of the strands of distributional analysis used in social policy, welfare theory and public finance uses basic constructions from calculus, probability and the economics of consumer behaviour in a mathematical treatment of the distribution and redistribution of income.

Provides an up-to-date synthesis of the many strands of distributional analysis used in the fields of social policy, welfare theory and public finance. Develops a consistent mathematical approach into a self-contained and unified treatment of the distribution and redistribution of income. Thoroughly updated edition of a well adopted textbook. Substantially enhanced by the inclusion of two new chapters on Poverty and Horizontal Inequity (unfairness in income taxes) - issues of popular interest in which there has been a great deal of recent theoretical research. A reference and resource work spanning several areas of economics not drawn together elsewhere.