Abstract:What determines who gets what? What causes the dramatic inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth described in the preceding chapters? Probing these questions requires a shift from a descr...What determines who gets what? What causes the dramatic inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth described in the preceding chapters? Probing these questions requires a shift from a description of patterns to an analysis of causation. Complex political economic judgements are required. The inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth, for example, may be regarded as embedded in the normal working of capitalist economy. Such a view leads those on the political Right and Left to draw markedly different inferences – either accepting economic inequality as a natural phenomenon or advocating radical challenge to the system that produces it. On the other hand, if the inequalities are traceable to more contingent factors – particular features of labour markets or welfare state provisions, for example – more piecemeal reforms may be worthy of consideration. A more social democratic response then beckons.Read More
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-07-05
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot