Benefits of Equal Distribution of Wealth and Income in the United States - Essay Example

College: Benefits of Equal Distribution of Wealth and Income in the United s Income and wealth inequality in the United States and the rest of the world has been increasing steadily in the last four decades. This dramatic increase coupled with the fact that Americans have become more aware of this huge disparity, has made this issue one of the most highly debated in the United States. Although people are now more aware than ever before of the income and wealth disparity that exists in the United States, the level of inequality is considerably higher than they think it is. This is the reason why the government has taken little action to reduce this inequality, despite the numerous debates for and against government intervention to reduce it. Economists, through the media, have been enumerating the benefits of income and wealth inequality in terms of economic efficiency. Most of them assert that the current levels of disparity are just right to spur innovation of new technologies, maintain high levels of productivity among citizens, and increase competition among citizens and workers. However, this has not affected the views of most Americans regarding what they think are ideal levels of income and wealth inequality (Ariely, theatlantic.com). John Rawls’ definition of social inequality is based on the notion that people know everything about the society’s wealth distribution, and are willing to enter the spectrum at any level. Rawls refers to this notion as the ‘veil of ignorance’ because people’s decisions are disconnected from the level of wealth they will attain after making the decision. As a result, their view of the ideal level of income and wealth distribution reflects a level of equality higher than that of any state in the world, with little disparity between the highest and the lowest levels of income and wealth (Ariely, theatlantic.com). Although, this level is unrealistic, countries should strive to get closer to it because it accrues numerous benefits in terms of social justice and prosperity. Firstly, a relatively equal distribution of wealth leads to reduction of social evils in the society. Crime will reduce in the society when the level of income and wealth of the poorest section of the society is closer to that of the wealthiest. Extensive media coverage of the issue of wealth and income disparity increases people’s awareness of the existence of this massive inequality, especially those at the low end of the wealth distribution spectrum. This massive exposure naturally stirs their materialistic tendencies, which translates to a great desire to attain wealth levels equal to those of citizens at the high end of the spectrum. Ultimately, this desire becomes too strong to be restrained among members of the society with a low threshold for maintaining social norms and desirable values. When this critical barrier breaks down, these people will do almost anything to acquire the level of wealth they desire immensely, and they end up getting involved in various illegal and immoral means of earning large amounts of income with as little productive effort as possible. The ultimate result is a high level of muggings, robberies, prostitution, corruption and numerous other social vices and illegal activities. Therefore, reduction of the inequality of wealth and income distribution between the rich and the poor will benefit the society tremendously. Both the rich and the poor will reap benefits from this reduction because both groups experience the effects of these social evils and crimes. The poor are vulnerable because they lack the resources to ensure their security, whereas wealthier individuals are vulnerable because they are mostly the target of perpetrators of these social crimes and evils. Although the rich have the resources necessary for ensuring their security within the society, the fact that they are mostly the target group in these acts makes them just as vulnerable to crime as individuals at the low end of the wealth distribution spectrum. Secondly, levels of wealth and income distribution that are equal to the ideal levels envisioned by most groups of people in the society result in enhanced social cohesion. The greatest divisions within society arise largely because of economic differences that result from disparities in wealth and income levels between members of the society. Ethnic, cultural and religious affiliations also play a significant role but not as large as that played by wealth and income disparities between individuals at the opposite ends of the spectrum of wealth and income distribution. The divisions that these economic disparities bring about break down the social fiber that holds the society in place, and the result is the weakening of social structures that are primarily responsible for providing the societal framework with the nourishment it requires to provide basic human needs to all members of the society such as food and accommodation. The evidence of this societal disintegration manifests itself in numerous ways, in everyday life. For example, refugees living in many of the numerous refugee camps, in third world countries, frequently experience starvation, poor healthcare, and lack of education. This situation persists despite the fact that if just a handful of the wealthiest individuals in the U.S. donate a negligible portion of their wealth to the improvement of the life conditions of these refugees, the challenges that they face would be reduced considerably. However, this can never happen because current levels of economic disparities weaken social cohesion so profoundly that individuals within the society become desensitized to the needs of others. Therefore, equal distribution of wealth within the society would serve to strengthen social cohesion. Thirdly, relatively equal distribution of wealth and income will lead to enhanced technological and societal development. Current high levels of wealth and income disparity result in high competition between members of American society in the race to amass wealth, and obtain a greater portion of the American pie. If these massive disparities are eliminated, people will be freed up from the need to apply intensive effort to amass wealth for themselves. Since everybody would be satisfied in materialistic terms, this effort would be diverted to activities that foster improvement in the quality of life of all individuals in the society. This improved quality of life may be in terms of technological advancement or the strengthening of social and administrative structures. Some factions may argue that high levels of competition for wealth enhance innovation and technological advancement to a greater extent than when this factor is eliminated. This is true, but the latter also leads to improvement and strengthening of social and administrative structures, which makes up for the lower levels of innovation and technological advancement. Furthermore, improvement of administrative and social structures has a greater effect on the satisfaction of innate human needs such as the need for belonging than massive technological advancement. Conclusion Evidently, the benefits of equality in wealth and income distribution far outweigh those of disparity in the distribution of resources in American society. Ongoing debates in the media and the U.S. Congress, should focus on the social aspects rather than the economic aspects of this issue since social fulfillment bestows a greater value to human life than economic achievement. Thus, Congress and the U.S. government should begin to seriously consider legislating laws and implementing measures that will result in enhanced equal distribution of wealth and income to all citizens of the United States. Works Cited Ariely, Dan. Americans Want to Live in a Much More Equal Country (They Just Don’t Realize It). The Atlantic, 2012. Retrieved 28 Dec 2012, from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/08/americans-want-to-live-in-a-much-moreequal-country-they-just-dont-realize-it/260639/ Read More