How Economic Inequality Harms Societies

Last week, in order to set the tone, we looked at some astounding facts about global inequality. If you've been following the news, you know the firestorm that the latest Oxfam report has caused and how politicians, business leaders and media are each considering responses to it. Notably, the World Economic Forum in Davos has made this topic its main agenda item, so perhaps its time we became better informed. What are the consequences of inequality? Is it always bad? Don't you need inequality to create incentives? To start with, let's look at the case against inequality. 

In 2011, Richard Wilkinson spoke at TEDGlobal 2011 and outlined compelling evidence showing how economic inequality is correlated with almost every meaningful quality of life indicator. Wilkinson uses this to build a case about the incredible and broad-ranging harm that inequality causes in society. Do you agree with him?


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