Inequality

Question 1

Desirable when social mobility is present

Answer 1

• inequality is inevitable in a capitalist and meritocratic state – should reward based on merits
• serves as a driving force
• France implemented an income tax rate of 75% for the wealthiest segment of the population, which turned many rich people to Brussels and London.

Question 2

Not desirable when it is a result of shrinking opportunities and discrimination

Answer 2

• All too many EGREGORIOUS cases of predatory sexual violence have been reported since the New Delhi gang rape, - underscoring the deep-rooted challenges of reforming not only laws but also a whole ecosystem, that has allowed sexual violence to go unpunished

Question 3

Inequality is self-reinforcing

Answer 3

• without social mobility – implies ENTRENCHED poverty
• research has shown that 1 out of 3 black males born in the US after 2001, will go to jail at least once in their lifetime

Question 4

Wealth begets power, which begets more wealth

Answer 4

• investment
• surpreme court of US has enshrined the rights of corporations to buy govt, now, the rich will have bigger say in policies
• can make policies such as lower wages for the poor, less income tax for rich

Question 5

Equality raises the living standards in a country

Answer 5

• In 2012, women make up 77% of Japan’s part time and temporary workforce due to a patriarchal culture. Raising female labour participation to the level of men’s could add 8m to Japan’s shrinking workforce, potentially increasing GDP by as much as 15%.

Question 6

Equality - attainable if laws are put into place

Answer 6

SG’s Presidential for Minority Rights

Question 7

7 in 10 people live in countries where the gap between the rich and poor is bigger than 3 decades ago

Answer 7

Even in Singapore, but we have to consider that the Gini co-efficient is not a good indication

Question 8

Inequality is not inevitable; it is the result of the policies– we can push for fairer systems

Answer 8

just 1.5% of the combined wealth of the worlds billionaires is enough to provide for healthcare for the world’s poorest country, and pay for every child’s education

Important: SG – to reduce inequality; not just opportunities, but also resources

Question 9

Benefitd of Meritocracy

Answer 9

Advocates fierce competition to push people to do the best they can
- indispensable in helping Singapore rise as a prosperous city-state

Question 10

Meritocracy - SG

Answer 10

1. Ethnic-based organisations; e.g. MENDAKI, Singapore Indian Development Association – offering subsidies tuition

Question 11

Meritocracy – has become an increasingly complicated ideology to juggle; especially in today’s competitive age

Answer 11

Like SG

Question 12

Big income gaps may fuel resentment and result in growth destroying populist policies and even violence

Answer 12

France implemented an income tax of 75% for the wealthiest segment – turned away many people to Brussels and London

Question 13

Often deep-rooted in society

Answer 13

New Delhi Gang Rape – allowed sexual violence to go unpunished

Question 14

UN Goal for Poverty

Answer 14

To eliminate poverty by 2020, and to lift everyone above line of US$2 a day

Question 15

With technology; reduce demand for many blue collar jobs

Answer 15

Inequality will only rise

Question 16

Difficult to eradicate due to the deep rooted corruption in most bureaucracies

Answer 16

2004