Suchergebnisse

Health inequality is an intractable problem, and has been increased by urbanisation. Average life expectancy has risen steadily for 160 years, but the increase is greater amongst the rich. Advances in engineering benefited all social classes, but changes in lifestyle seem to leave the poor behind. Health inequality – the existence of which was denied only 25 years ago – is now seen as a problem by all political parties in the UK. Various measures in healthcare and in lifestyle which might reduce the problem are considered.

The paper explores theoretical and empirical evidence on whether progressivity of personal income taxation lead to less income inequality. The paper demonstrates that there is a lot of theoretical evidence, which question the simplistic notion that more progressivity lead to less inequality and vice versa. Paper provides comprehensive review of the spectrum of possible causal links between progressivity and inequality. Then the paper develops an empirical indicator to measure progressivity of personal income tax. It is used to estimate empirical relations between progressivity and income inequality in 27 European Union countries for the period of 2007-2013. The paper finds a weak relationship between a country being a flat-tax country and smaller reduction of income inequality measured by at-risk-of-poverty rate (but not with GINI inequality). However a statistical test finds no meaningful relationship between progressivity and reduction of at-risk-of-poverty income inequality. The paper concludes that it is impossible to find clear and unambiguous relationship between progressivity of income tax and income inequality. It suggests expanding the scope of research and including analysis of effects of transfer systems.

The paper explores theoretical and empirical evidence on whether progressivity of personal income taxation lead to less income inequality. The paper demonstrates that there is a lot of theoretical evidence, which question the simplistic notion that more progressivity lead to less inequality and vice versa. Paper provides comprehensive review of the spectrum of possible causal links between progressivity and inequality. Then the paper develops an empirical indicator to measure progressivity of personal income tax. It is used to estimate empirical relations between progressivity and income inequality in 27 European Union countries for the period of 2007-2013. The paper finds a weak relationship between a country being a flat-tax country and smaller reduction of income inequality measured by at-risk-of-poverty rate (but not with GINI inequality). However a statistical test finds no meaningful relationship between progressivity and reduction of at-risk-of-poverty income inequality. The paper concludes that it is impossible to find clear and unambiguous relationship between progressivity of income tax and income inequality. It suggests expanding the scope of research and including analysis of effects of transfer systems.

The increase in economic disparities over the past 30 years has prompted extensive research on the causes and consequences of inequality both in the United States and, more recently, globally. This review provides an update of research on the patterns and causes of economic inequality in the United States, including inequality of earnings, wealth, and opportunity. We also explore the social and political consequences of inequality, particularly in the areas of health, education, crime, social capital, and political power. Finally, we spotlight an emerging literature on world inequality, which examines inequality trends within as well as across nations. Sociologists can advance research on inequality by bringing discipline-based expertise to bear on the organization and political economy of firms and labor markets, the pathways through which inequality has an effect, and the social, political, and cultural contingencies that might modify this effect.

AbstractInequality in the distribution of income and wealth has come to the fore as a core concern across the industrialized world. Here we examine what has happened to income inequality across the rich countries in recent decades. We discuss the range of factors that appear to be driving inequality upwards, notably the role of technological change, globalization, and national institutions and policies. We look at how rising inequality might undermine economic growth and squeeze the middle, and assess the extent to which it has actually done so. We assess whether rising inequality is associated with worsening outcomes and inequalities across various social domains. Finally, we review emerging evidence on the role that rising inequality may be playing in the 'revolt of the angry' and rise of populism.

Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Information -- Chapter 1 Prejudice and Privilege -- Chapter 2 Historic Inequality -- Chapter 3 Contemporary Inequality -- Chapter 4 Criminal Justice and Injustice -- Chapter 5 Counterterrorism and Islamophobia -- Chapter 6 Calls for Change -- Glossary -- Source Notes -- Selected Bibliography -- Further Information -- Index -- About the Author -- Photo Acknowledgments -- Back Cover

AbstractIn this new contribution, John Baugh provides an analytical overview of how the field has addressed issues of power and inequality. Baugh addresses how both social hierarchies and the legal system affect the standing of different languages and their users. He then especially focuses on language use in relation to racial and gender dynamics, highlighting influential work that revealed and analyzed how language is used to make and deepen inequality. He concludes with a call for the promotion of "linguistic human rights" that would protect minority language speakers.

Increasing access to diverse types of credit and spreading indebtedness across many social groups were significant economic developments of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, with implications for social inequality and insecurity. This review evaluates the role of credit and debt in social inequality in the United States. Credit and debt shape inequalities along multiple pathways, in defining social inclusion and exclusion, directing life chances, and facilitating oppression. On the basis of this review, I conclude that building on the progress made in prior research calls for a relational approach to understanding credit, debt, and inequality that includes a focus on the powerful actors that benefit from a political economy increasingly dependent on credit and debt to distribute, regulate, and control social resources. I close by identifying outstanding questions that need to be answered in order to move forward our understanding of economic inequality and insecurity, as well as for social policy and the prospects for collective action.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the difference between social inequality and identity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a conceptual view.FindingsThe paper notes that the concepts are often confused, as in arguments that equality is impossible because everyone is different. It is pointed out that equality and inequality are not opposites; that equality is simply the zero point on the infinite range of inequality. The existence of inequality depends on socially recognised difference. The difference may often be simply a basis for socially imposed inequalities, as with ethnicity and gender, or it may be a real cause of inequality as with health differences. Nine important inter‐related bases of inequality are considered. Equality does not require zero inequality on all aspects but merely a balance of inequalities. However, the complexity means it is difficult to define or recognise total equality. The nearest would be that all individuals are regarded and treated as equally important. The zero point of inequality may be unattainable, but the real issue is the actual extent of inequality, which could be very substantially reduced.Originality/valueThis original paper is of value in correcting some misconceptions and improving understanding of an important subject.