Economic inequality
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+ | [[Image:Pyramid of Capitalist System.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''[[Pyramid of Capitalist System]]'', anonymous American cartoon (1911)]] | ||
+ | {| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5" | ||
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+ | "No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are [[Poverty|poor]] and miserable." --''[[The Wealth of Nations ]]'' | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | [[Image:Eugène Delacroix - La liberté guidant le peuple.jpg|thumb|200px|This page '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is part of the [[politics]] series.<br><small>Illustration:''[[Liberty Leading the People]]'' (1831, detail) by [[Eugène Delacroix]].</small>]] | ||
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- | '''Shanty towns''' (also called [[squatter]] camps or [[favela]]s) are settlements (sometimes illegal or unauthorized) of [[poverty|impoverished]] people who live in improvised dwellings made from scrap [[plywood]], [[Corrugated galvanised iron|corrugated metal]], and sheets of [[plastic]]. Shanty towns, which are usually built on the periphery of cities, often do not have proper [[sanitation]], [[electric power|electricity]], or [[telephone]] services. | ||
- | Shanty towns are mostly found in developing nations, or partially developed nations with an [[economic inequality|unequal distribution of wealth]]. In extreme cases, shanty towns have populations approaching that of a city. | + | '''Economic inequality''' refers to disparities in the distribution of [[economic]] [[assets]] and [[income]]. The term typically refers to inequality among individuals and groups within a society, but can also refer to [[international inequality|inequality among nations]]. Economic Inequality generally refers to [[equality of outcome]], and is related to the idea of [[equality of opportunity]]. It is a contested issue whether economic inequality is a positive or negative phenomenon, both on utilitarian and moral grounds. |
- | This page is not in reference to the city of Shantytown, located in Marathon county, Wisconsin, USA<ref>[http://www.thebubbler.com/communities/Shantytown Shantytown, Wisconsin in Marathon County Wisconsin - Wisconsin Information Source - theBubbler<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.{{GFDL}} | + | Economic inequality has existed in a wide range of societies and historical periods; its nature, cause and importance are open to broad debate. A country's economic structure or system (for example, [[capitalism]] or [[socialism]]), ongoing or past wars, and differences in individuals' abilities to create wealth are all involved in the creation of economic inequality. |
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+ | There are various Numerical [[index (economics)|index]]es for measuring economic inequality. Inequality is most often measured using the [[Gini coefficient]], but there are also [[income inequality metrics| many other methods]]. | ||
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+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | * [[Equal opportunity]] | ||
+ | * [[Human Development Index#Inequality-adjusted HDI|Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index]] | ||
+ | * [[Income distribution]] | ||
+ | * [[Income inequality in the United States]] | ||
+ | * [[List of countries by income equality]] | ||
+ | * [[Occupy movement]] | ||
+ | * [[Plutocracy]] | ||
+ | * [[Poverty]] and [[Cycle of poverty]] | ||
+ | *[[International inequality]] | ||
+ | *[[Economic results of migration ]] | ||
+ | {{GFDL}} |
Current revision
"No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable." --The Wealth of Nations |
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Economic inequality refers to disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income. The term typically refers to inequality among individuals and groups within a society, but can also refer to inequality among nations. Economic Inequality generally refers to equality of outcome, and is related to the idea of equality of opportunity. It is a contested issue whether economic inequality is a positive or negative phenomenon, both on utilitarian and moral grounds.
Economic inequality has existed in a wide range of societies and historical periods; its nature, cause and importance are open to broad debate. A country's economic structure or system (for example, capitalism or socialism), ongoing or past wars, and differences in individuals' abilities to create wealth are all involved in the creation of economic inequality.
There are various Numerical indexes for measuring economic inequality. Inequality is most often measured using the Gini coefficient, but there are also many other methods.
See also
- Equal opportunity
- Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index
- Income distribution
- Income inequality in the United States
- List of countries by income equality
- Occupy movement
- Plutocracy
- Poverty and Cycle of poverty
- International inequality
- Economic results of migration