General Discussion

Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)

18. It's about equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes.

Mon May 12, 2014, 12:37 AM

May 2014

Unfortunately the distorting effects of disproportionate control of wealth by a small elite severely limit equality of opportunity for everyone else.

See the following for instance:

an emerging body of evidence suggests that more inequality of incomes in the present is likely to make family background play a stronger role in determining the adult outcomes of young people, with their own hard work playing a commensurately weaker role. The OECD (2011a, p. 40) has gone so far as to state that rising income inequality “can stifle upward social mobility, making it harder for talented and hard-working people to get the rewards they deserve. Intergenerational earnings mobility is low in countries with high inequality such as Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and much higher in the Nordic countries, where income is distributed more evenly.

http://ftp.iza.org/dp7520.pdf

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37 replies

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What is the ultimate solution to income inequality in the US? [View all] Skip Intro May 2014 OP

Equality of opportunity, elleng May 2014 #1

Equal income won't remedy income inequality? n/t Skip Intro May 2014 #2

OPPORTUNITY doesn't mean income, elleng May 2014 #4

True. Skip Intro May 2014 #5

do you think if that was done that the most productive of our country now would still oneofthe99 May 2014 #6

No, I don't. n/t Skip Intro May 2014 #11

That's why in my humble opinion equality will never be reached but oneofthe99 May 2014 #15

Wow, yes, I agree. But... Skip Intro May 2014 #17

That's why I wrote the key is to trust your government oneofthe99 May 2014 #19

Key problem. Here's a scary tangent - Skip Intro May 2014 #22

This is just opinion but I blame us the people as much as our government oneofthe99 May 2014 #23

A fine goal, elleng May 2014 #8

interesting thought experiment at the very least... yawnmaster May 2014 #10

Bingo. Yes. It is exactly that - a thought experiment. Skip Intro May 2014 #13

inequality of what? yawnmaster May 2014 #3

You consider yourself a Christian, right? Electric Monk May 2014 #7

. Skip Intro May 2014 #9

Oh, I already knew you weren't here to discuss. I thought I'd try anyway though. Electric Monk May 2014 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author Electric Monk May 2014 #20

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #21

Do what worked before. MannyGoldstein May 2014 #14

Plus one a whole bunch. Enthusiast May 2014 #26

There is no way to ultimately do away with inequality in a capitalist system. Gravitycollapse May 2014 #16

Few of us expect to do away with all inequality. It isn't realistic. Enthusiast May 2014 #27

It's about equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #18

Probably another aspect is to ask - What is the ultimate cost of income inequality? mazzarro May 2014 #24

I can think of several possibilities Prophet 451 May 2014 #25

Do what FDR did - progressive taxes, better safety net, union protections, tighter regulation, pampango May 2014 #28

See: Taxation before Reagan Presidency. WinkyDink May 2014 #29

Heck, it doesn't even have to be about "equality" Adrahil May 2014 #30

Tax wealth, not income. safeinOhio May 2014 #31

income inequality OLDMDDEM May 2014 #32

Basic Living Income RainDog May 2014 #33

from my view Blue_Tires May 2014 #34

What is it about the current system that is working out for you? Starry Messenger May 2014 #35

Pretty much the same as the ultimate solution to social inequality in the US Fumesucker May 2014 #36

Let the workers decide what management gets paid rock May 2014 #37