Do We Need Economic Inequality?

Danny Dorling

• Publisher: Polity
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781509516551, 9781509516544
• eBook ISBN: 9781509516582
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Economics
• Subtopic: Economic Policy
• Index: Economics

Although economic inequality provokes widespread disquiet, its supposed necessity is rarely questioned. At best, a basic level of inequality is seen as anecessary evil. At worst, it is seen as insufficient to encourage aspiration, hard work and investment – a refrain sometimes used to advocate ever greater inequality.

In this original new book, Danny Dorling critically analyses historical trends and contemporary assumptions in order to question the idea that inequality is aninevitability. What if, he asks, widespread economic inequality is actually just a passing phase, a feature of the capitalist transition from a settledrural way of life to our next highly urban steady-state? Is it really likely that we face a Blade Runner -style dystopian future divided between a tiny elite andan impoverished mass?

Dorling shows how, amongst much else, a stabilizing population, changing gender relations and rising access to education make a more egalitarian alternative to this nightmare visionnot only preferable, but realistic. This bold contribution to one of the most significant debates of our time will be essential reading for anyone interested in oureconomic, social and political destiny.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Copyright
• Acknowledgements
• 1 Bell Curves
• 2 A History of Inequality
• 3 Why Argue for Inequality?
• 4 Who Benefits from Inequality?
• 5 Where Do the Costs of Inequality Fall?
• 6 What Are the Alternatives to Inequality?
• 7 When Will the Fall in Inequality Become Clear?
• 8 Reasons for Optimism
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