1 of 13

Inequality in the United States & Around the World

2 of 13

unequal distribution of income, opportunities, wealth, and material goods

Inequality:

3 of 13

In the United States, inequality is present in society in a number of ways

​

Gender

-women still make less money than men, hold fewer that 5% of CEO

positions and 19% of senate seats

​

Race

-African Americans & other racial minorities make less money than

white Americans

​

Income

-there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor, and the gap is

growing

4 of 13

In the USA, the average worth of white households in 2009 was $113,149 compared to African American

households at $5,677 and Hispanic households at $6,325.

​

The 85 richest people in the world have as much wealth as the poorest half of all humanity, 3.5 billion people.

​

5 of 13

6 of 13

7 of 13

Causes of inequality

  • Economic system of capitalism prioritizes profits at the expense of workers (have to compete with lower-priced Chinese and Indian companies who pay their workers much less)
  • Institutions (education and healthcare) are extremely expensive and keep people in a cycle of poverty (Over a lifetime, Americans with college degrees earn 84% more than those with only high school degrees)
  • Wages remain flat

8 of 13

Consequences of Inequality

  • Social unrest (protests, crime, drugs, and violence in the American South)
  • Political upheaval (populism movement and election of Donald Trump)
  • Poor Public Health: obesity, infant mortality, and lower life expectancy

9 of 13

10 of 13

11 of 13

Inequalities in Spain

  • What are some examples of social and economic inequalities in Spain?

It would take a Spaniard born into a low-income family 120 years to reach the country’s average income

Over a four-year period, the poorest 20% have “few possibilities of climbing rungs,” and 66% will remain trapped at the bottom

Lack of education:  Spain has the highest early school dropout rate in the European Union, 19.9% in 2015

Nepotism and lack of merit-based system

12 of 13

Bill Gates: An example of a more responsible billionaire

Access to education and employment training

(combats outsourcing and globalization)

Universal income

Raising taxes on the wealthy

Increased welfare programs

What are the solutions?

13 of 13

Discussion Questions

  • Is this a problem?
  • Can there be an economic system that avoids inequality?
  • Does communism/socialism work? Why or why not?
  • Is it the duty of the rich to redistribute their wealth to the poor? Is it the duty of the government?