Anyone here knowledgeable on inequality?

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:42

Posting in the vague hope that someone here will have some constructive input on the topic of inequality. Got an exam and need to learn some stuff quickly!

Sample essay question:

"Is inequality an inevitable consequence of development? Discuss."

I've got a few topics to have a chit chat about (eg Kuznet U hypothesis, Lorenz curves, why inequality is bad etc) but I'm missing the real meat of the answer.

Would appreciate any offerings.

Macky · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:43

Yes. When there are rich people there will be poor people. The extremity depending on the how much money the rich people have.

cm1179 · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:43

know your place in the world!

dirtychinchilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:44

In human society there nearly always needs to be a hierarchy because someone needs to organise people and tell them what to do etc. If this hierarchy exists then there are always going to be those with more power than others. Extending it to money, those with more power are more likely to be better off.

scorza · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:47

Probably won't get you through an exam but maybe a good place to start: http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/why

PermaBanned · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:50

Inequality in terms of potential? No. Inequality in terms of fulfilment of that potential? Yes. But certainly not to the extent evident in today's society. And even that's subjective.

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 14:55

Moses said:
Do you have an exam, or do you actually have an essay/assignment where the "sample essay question" is the question?

An exam. The above is only a sample essay. Other previous essays have focused more on measures of inequality etc etc

Dolph · 3 Sep 2011 at 15:01

This type of question is more an example of showing knowledge and coherent thought processes, than actually giving a 'correct' view.

Is inequality the result of development? Development tends to produce goods of both restricted availability and consequently high value, so you can argue that those who have the goods/means to create the goods can leave behind those who do not as development progresses. However, that ignores the role of both the individual and the state, in terms of how the proceeds are managed and so on.

Mr Jack · 3 Sep 2011 at 15:02

How far away is the exam? If you've got time read The Spirit Level.

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 15:06

Dolph said:
This type of question is more an example of showing knowledge and coherent thought processes, than actually giving a 'correct' view.

Is inequality the result of development? Development tends to produce goods of both restricted availability and consequently high value, so you can argue that those who have the goods/means to create the goods can leave behind those who do not as development progresses. However, that ignores the role of both the individual and the state, in terms of how the proceeds are managed and so on.

Agreed. So I'm looking for a "model answer" on stuff I should be including in for a balanced answer. The main guy Simon Kuznet seems to be a good basis for starting, but it's not enough for the 1000 or so words I'll have to write on it (multiple questions)

Mr Jack said:
How far away is the exam? If you've got time read The Spirit Level.

Monday.

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 15:26

Any suggestions?

Even just a reference to check out would be good.

Dolph · 3 Sep 2011 at 18:02

Just as a small point, don't rely on the spirit level or the equality trust as some kind of absolute reference on this, they are highly biased and, in the case of the spirit level, rather dodgy in scientific terms, because the spirit level pretends you can treat a secondary paper based on peer reviewed primary literature as if it has been peer reviewed, even when you've change the contents, focus or missed out countries to make your graphs do what you want...

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 18:07

Dolph said:
Just as a small point, don't rely on the spirit level or the equality trust as some kind of absolute reference on this, they are highly biased and, in the case of the spirit level, rather dodgy in scientific terms, because the spirit level pretends you can treat a secondary paper based on peer reviewed primary literature as if it has been peer reviewed, even when you've change the contents, focus or missed out countries to make your graphs do what you want...

That did seem to be an issue, my references would have to be squeaky clean.

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 18:55

If anyone is interested here is a nice link to have a quick read from:

http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR05_chapter_2.pdf

Gackt · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:02

You should definitely include the disparity in wealth, and also how relative it is (i.e. we feel that we might be poor on £12k a year crap job, while there are a majority of people who won't make that in their entire life, if they survive) but also include points in how development can help reduce those divides as long as the intent is there.

What a fascinating topic.

Pate · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:23

Gackt said:
You should definitely include the disparity in wealth, and also how relative it is (i.e. we feel that we might be poor on £12k a year crap job, while there are a majority of people who won't make that in their entire life, if they survive) but also include points in how development can help reduce those divides as long as the intent is there.

What a fascinating topic.

Good point. You wouldn't happen to have any journal articles or anything on that would you?

It's indeed a fascinating topic, I lament having not gone to any lectures/seminars on it now.