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Inequality: why the big issue?

February 2013

Daniel Ben-Ami and Danny Dorling introduced a discussion on the impact of inequality

Daniel Ben Ami

There is a broad consensus that we are losing our sense of common purpose as a result of the sharp widening of economic and social inequality in western societies since the 1970s. The super-rich keep themselves aloof at the top, whilst a burgeoning underclass it is thought, if not helped, can easily be tempted into anti-social behaviour at the bottom. What is the best way to respond to this?

 Danny Dorling

A defining feature of socialism was its desire to abolish class and hierarchy so that human potential could be fully realised. Conservatives, meanwhile, have typically argued that material inequality is inevitable and probably also desirable. The contemporary orthodoxy though, sometimes referred to as a “new progressivism”, is fundamentally different from the traditional views of left and right. There are growing campaigns that slate the wealthy for failing to pay their fair share of tax, like for example the Occupy protesters who claim to represent the ‘99 per cent’ against the super-rich ‘1 per cent’.

 

If equality was historically a core principle of the left then, so it is assumed, the current discussion and campaigns must be enlightened and humanistic. Those who oppose the plethora of apparently pro-equality initiatives are therefore cast as reactionary souls who are probably in the pay of giant corporations. So what's happened to all the conservative arguments for rewarding hard work and endeavour? Are we perhaps becoming uncomfortable with developing greater wealth and thus restraining ourselves by picking on those with more? Or will we only be able to progress if we all progress equally?

 


Some background readings

The Joy of Flex, by Karen Kornbluh, Washington Monthly December 2005

New progressivism is a cause to fight for, by Matthew Taylor, TES 13 November 2009

Ferraris For All, reviewed by Mark Iddon, Manchester Salon November 2010

The case for austerity among the rich, by Danny Dorling, IPPR March 2012

Rising inequality and rising austerity – when is the tipping point? by Danny Dorling, speaking at Soudings, Leeds 19 Sept 2012

Inequality and the world economy: True Progressivism, Leader, The Economist 13 October 2012

Did inequality cause the crisis? by Daniel Ben-Ami, Fund Strategy 26 November 2012

Why the rich want the super-rich to be restrained, by Daniel Ben-Ami, spiked review of books November 2012

The struggle to moralise capitalism, by Frank Furedi, spiked review of books January 2013

Inequality did not cause the crisis, by Daniel Ben-Ami, spiked 30 January 2013

Injustice: Why social inequality persists, reviewed by Ken McLaughlin, Manchester Salon February 2013

 

Books by the speakers, the themes of which will be discussed and debated

The Policy Press are also publishing three digital-only ebook tasters of Unequal health by Daniel Dorling, in a variety of formats. Competitively priced at only £1.99 each, they each give a flavour of three major themes: public health, social medicine and inequality and contain three relevant chapters from the book, preceded by an all-new introduction specially written by Danny Dorling.


Watch video of discussion, thanks to Dan Clayton the documentary film maker from Leeds for producing this.

 

Inequality discussion at International Anthony Burgess Foundation

 

Sponsored by

 

The Policy PressEstablished in 1996, the aim of The Policy Press has always been to try to improve social conditions with publications that will make a positive difference to learning and research, policy and practice. In essence, we are a publisher with a purpose.

Based in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol, we are now well-known as a leading international publisher of high quality books and journals across a wide range of subjects including: social policy and social welfare, social justice childhood studies and family policy, ageing, social work and social care, public policy, criminology and criminal justice, health, housing and urban policy. Our authors range from leading scholars and thinkers around the world to talented first-time authors and we also collaborate with a large number of organisations and associations.

 
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