Inequalities in the Distribution of Income and Wealth
Descripción
A Levels (Unit 1, 4 Market Failure) Economics Mapa Mental sobre Inequalities in the Distribution of Income and Wealth, creado por beth2384 el 03/01/2014.
Inequalities in the
Distribution of
Income and Wealth
INCOME= a flow of earnings to a factor of
production over a period of time, e.g. wages
(hourly/weekly) or salaries (monthly/yearly)
Someone with a particular sporting
talent, e.g. a racing cyclist, could
command a high income
WEALTH= a stock of owned
assets, e.g. housing property
or a portfolio of shares
The main source of wealth
in the UK is still through
inheritance
In a free market economy, an individual's ability to consume goods and services depends on INCOME and WEALTH
An unequal distribution of income and wealth may result in an unsatisfactory allocation of resources, this may be judged as unfair or inequitable
The relatively poor don't have access to the range of goods and services consumed by 'average' citizens
High inequality may also lead to alienation and encourage crime with wider negative consequences for society
A lack of fairness or equity in the distribution of income and wealth can be seen as a failure in the free market
The government aims to close the gap between rich and poor and make things more equal
When discussing inequality and
poverty we can't escape making
value judgements and normative
statements
What constitutes 'unacceptable'
distribution of income and what the
governement should do about this
is a political issue; people will
have varying views
There is evidence however that high and rising levels
of inequality of income and wealth can lead to negative
social consequences i.e. external costs that affect the
whole of society