Jan Tinbergen (1903–1994): A Rational Thinker on Inequality and Distribution

Jan Tinbergen is generally seen as one of the greatest economists from the second part of the last century. With a background in physics, he was able to introduce a wide variety of quantitative modeling techniques in economic research. In this chapter, Peter Nijkamp describes how Tinbergen’s interest in human and social inequity problems led him also into the field of regional science, where he produced several remarkable and influential publications. A prominent contribution to regional science can be found in the integration of his pioneering work on international (or spatial) gravity models for trade and transport with the hierarchical systems approach and central place theory paradigms developed earlier by August Lösch and Walter Christaller, respectively. Another path-breaking contribution of Jan Tinbergen can be found in his thorough quantitative analysis of income inequality and poverty in different regions of the world. Jan Tinbergen continues to be a source of inspiration for scholars who combine a sharp analytical mind with a deep concern on wellbeing and livability issues on our planet.