Question

1. (3 points) Is inequality necessary? Is it good?
   1. (1 point) Should we equalize income for all Americans?  Explain the utilitarian and Rawlsian arguments for egalitarian social policies.
   2. (1 point) Should we equalize income for all Americans? Explain alternative arguments against egalitarian policies, such as natural rights arguments (John Locke and Robert Nozick) and utilitarian arguments (Arthur Okun).
   3. (1 point) Gender and inequality: are egalitarian policies gendered? Do women benefit more from egalitarian policies that reduce disparities in income?

Answer 1

• Is inequelity necessary ? Is it good ? a) g give arguments such as :- Those who favours inequality give arguments Inequelity means that more wealth is going to cepitalist so savips and investments would go up in the economy .. The losses from tranferring income from rich to poor via welfare schones. incquelity is higher in But whenever a society in the levels of investment by the poor human capital are less (in health, education etc) This has feedback effect in increasing the gap between the "haves" and have nots I of the country. So, modest increese can generete growth other data indicate that heightened inequality Shortens growth Spells and may helt growth. Reducing inequelity improves social fabec of the society and broadens growth initiatives.

We can't equelise incomes for all Americans because the at goes against the principle of capitalism It takes away the incentive to work header and innovate for new technology. Entreprenents require rewards for teking the risks g a new ventuee. An egalitarian society is one where there is equility for all. Rawl's difference principle allows for incquelities when It raises the absolute condition of the worst off According to him, equal opportunity requires citizens withe same talents and willingness to use the an have game educational and economic opportunity irrespective of their wealth. It gives more weightage to the poor. A utilitarian welfare function (also celled - Benthamite welfare function), it sums the utility of each individuel fin order to obtain The welfare of the society du people are treated same, regardless of their initial level a wealth. So it doesn't give more weightage to poor

The evidence more from the income on how much the women benefit egalitarian policy that bridge gap is mixed. In most countries, even the developed ones, there is considerable evidence of wage dispacity and bias in economic opportunities Gender and income inequelity are linked as: gender wage gaps directly feed the income inequelity and so does higher gap in Lebor force participation. 1) women are more likely to be employed in informel sector or gig economy and that pays lower wages and may not be an assured income streon. lack of opportunity to the fenele child in terus g access to educetion, health and jobs. appet reduce the So egalitalian policies do help gender inquility.