How Should Free Democratic Society Handle Income Inequality - Essay Example

How Should A Free And Democratic Society Handle Income Inequality? Income inequality is basically he rift between the rich in a population and the rest of the people who are at a much lower income level. These include the middle class, and the poor. Every country is currently at a certain level of inequality depending on the economy of the country. Developing and developed countries tend to have a larger gap compared to the underdeveloped countries. The extent of the rift is what brings about the term income inequality. Also, if a country has among its population the largest number of very rich individuals the inequality tends to appear larger. A good example of income inequality that is growing vehemently is in a country like the United States. It is among the well developed nations across the globe but still with the largest disparity of income among its population. The wealthiest people of the earth coming from the US, with the likes of Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey as well as others like Mark Zuckerberg, the fact is that the rate at which this inequality is speeding is rather alarming. Basically, income inequality has taken center stage is defining the economies of nations and more so the US. In as much as it is growing, the US still has the best and effective taxing systems where the rich as well as the rest of the people who fall under lower social status are taxed accordingly. The rich obviously are taxed higher while the rest of the population is taxed according to their wages. Well, this could be fair and perhaps the road to democracy and freedom but how come the same population with such organized taxing approaches has the highest income inequality in this modern era (Colombo, 65). Also, how will the government together with its people manage to handle this crisis that seems to rush to higher heights? Understanding and coming up with solutions to this wide question must be quickly done to solve this disaster. From the history of the US income inequality crisis, Robert Reich claims that he has observed the situation get worse over the years since 1970. This could be the case following statistical evidence on the same. Robert Reich, a former labor secretary of the US stars a movie about the economy of the country since three decades ago and the bottom line or rather his idea of a solution to the crisis is inequality for all (Kornbluth ). This idea is disregarded by most citizens, corporates and journalists although some to agree with the idea. Inequality for all poses the issue of the rich being rich at the expense of the poor. This is not true as most wealthy folks have made their way into the Wall Street through their smart ideas with absolutely nothing to do with the poor. The current nature of the US government is a democratic fairness where the taxing system has succeeded in acquiring funds to run the nation but still income inequality still goes higher each year. The government seems to be aware of the situation but lacks the knowhow or the resources to make the situation less harmful. At the moment the taxation is progressive but at a level that is becoming risky than beneficial. In essence, the government largely depends of taxes as sources of development. Equity, fairness and development in the US government are proved greatly through taxes. Currently the taxing system and income redistribution favors the poor in the sense that some do not contribute to taxes mainly because they make no earnings. People with no jobs are the extreme lot of the have not’s and are probably the people widening the gap between the rich and the poor thus income inequality. They do not have a drive of getting jobs since they fear taxation. From the book, the great divergence, the definition of the US is known as ‘American exceptionalism’ both to its people and non-Americans. It is refereed in the context of being the richest nation in the world but maybe this term describes its negative issues like income inequality in which the US is still leading. According to the author, the blame of this great divergence in income is not yet determined. There lacks a specific cause of the crisis. Income inequality is a problem that no one seems to discern how and why I came about. Therefore, if the problem fails to be established it is even more difficult to come up with solutions. Some of the major blames can go onto corruption, the global economy which supposedly caught everyone unawares or even technology. The blame is there but no exact identification of the root cause of this crisis on inequality. Despite the uncertainty on where the problem is, there are a few solutions that can help handle the income inequality crisis. According to an article on Forbes, one solution can address the have not’s, who are essentially the poor and middle class to do something about their lives and have the drive to do better. Most citizens always blame the economy and the government on issues that could probably be changed but fail to realize their full potential. With knowledge that some of the richest people in world come from the US, citizens must realize that the same rich people have survived and lived in a similar economy and somehow have managed to make good of themselves. Therefore, this article is right on the poor and middle class working extra hard and yearning to be great. From the author of the Great Divergence “Notice a pattern? The richer you are the richer you expand your slice of your country’s income” (Noah, 366). Perhaps the Forbes way, the billionaires and millionaires being a source of hope that anyone can make it despite the economy. Another solution for this democratic nation is on government action. Even though little can be done to help everyone who trying to do better, the government must create approaches and policies that aim to create opportunities for its citizens. For instance, very many graduates are absorbed into the real world with very few getting absorbed into the corporate world. However, the same graduates have struggled through school due to the high amount of fee that they put in. The government must look at education and a public benefit and invest largely in this sector starting from early children up to the university level (Mettler, 102). Citizens will then divert the funds that they could pay fees with too much more economical aspects such as improving their businesses hence economic growth. Ensuring that money spent on political courses is cut down can greatly bring change in the economy of a nation. The politics of the US are set up in a manner that elections are greatly funded by the government instead of by taxes from the public. When a citizen can contribute at least one dollar for the purposes of elections, any democratic government can divert money into development the country on issues like infrastructure. If the middle class together with the poor are offered the best infrastructure then they definitely have a way to build on their economic hustles. Going to work through the best roads at a short time and having the best resources to conduct business can largely improve on the incomes of these people. Basically, the government can divert funds that could be sourced from taxes into development and creating opportunities for the citizens. It is quite easy to come up with solutions but for the government to actually consider the solutions, it may take long for any quick reforms. However, creation of a movement is another effective strategy that could help in ensuring the government moves fast in doing its job of reforming policies and making new ones for the betterment of its people. A movement that will guide the government and the rest of the citizens on the importance of income equality will work to push these solutions into implementations. Citizens portraying their understanding of what is required by aggressively joining and taking part in a movement on income equality and fairness, will not only help alert the government but it can bring the very needed changes. Movements have been created before in previous decades and they have led to the good of the American society. In conclusion, we understand that income inequality is greatly affecting America since it leads in the area but with government action together with support and an enthusiastic society about change, then a significant level of inequality can be scrapped off. Every citizen, those in power, in government, the rich, poor and middle class are part of the problem and they must all accept and be willing to be part of the solution to this widening income divergence. As much as everyone aims to be rich and improve their lives, it is important for people and more so the government to consider not only having the richest citizens in the world but having a degree of equality in income, opportunities and every aspect that defines a balanced society. Works Cited Colombo, Gary, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martins Press, 1992. Print. Kornbluth, Jacob, Jennifer Chaiken, Sebastian Dungan, Robert B. Reich, Svetlana Cvetko, Dan Krauss, Marco DAmbrosio, and Robert B. Reich. Inequality for All. , 2014. Mettler, Suzanne. Degrees of Inequality: How the Politics of Higher Education Sabotaged the American Dream. , 2014. Print. Noah, Timothy. The Great Divergence: Americas Growing Inequality Crisis and What We Can Do About It. New York, NY: Bloomsbury, 2012. Print. http://www.forbes.com/sites/maurapennington/2013/03/08/to-fix-income-inequality-the-have-nots-must-become-the-do-somethings/ Read More