This course explores the evolution and consequences of different forms of inequality within and between countries since the rise of capitalism. We begin with a survey of ‘visions of inequality’ (Milanovic) since the late 18th century: from the classical economists (Smith, Ricardo, Marx) to the competitive market explanations of postwar neoclassical economics, and then back to contemporary political economy perspectives. We then turn to a broadly conceived ‘varieties of capitalism’ literature to better understand the forms and dynamics of economic inequality across countries characterized by substantially different ideological and institutional frameworks. A central project will be the critical assessment of the longstanding pillar of mainstream economics that there is a necessary tradeoff between efficiency and equality. Does a more egalitarian capitalism really require lower rates of economic growth and higher unemployment? Is trickle-down from high inequality growth regimes necessary for improving living standards for working families? Or rather, can well-designed welfare/regulatory states achieve sustainable growth sufficient to maintain full-employment and high living standards across the income distribution? In this era of accelerating climate change, a vitally important related question is whether an environmentally sustainable growth path is possible without the promise of rising living standards for working families.