7. Conclusion

To sum it up, the extent of economic inequality that now exists in the world is so extreme that it is unjust to let it continue. Furthermore, given the evidence provided, it should be concluded that the effects of economic inequality on health, happiness, crime rates, and political participation are morally and ethically unacceptable. Since everybody is in some way responsible for the trend of growing inequality, the only way to slow it down is through smart and comprehensive legislation. As Robert Reich said, “The only way for the citizens in us to trump the consumers and investors in us is through laws and regulations that make our purchases and investments a social choice as well as a personal one.”

National governments and international institutions have an ethical and moral obligation to protect a relative sense of economic equality worldwide. This would not only increase the well-being of millions of people around the world, but would also create a more stable and peaceful world. Global justice demands action to be taken.

8. References

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8. McCarty, Nolan. The Policy Effects of Political Polarization. The Transformation of American Politics: Activist Government and the Rise of Conservatism. Princeton University Press. 2007.

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12. Reich, Robert B. Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life. New York: Vintage Books, 2007.

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14. Verba, Sydney, Kay Lehman Schlozman, Henry E. Brady. (May-June 1997) The Big Tilt: Participatory Inequality in America. The Tocqueville Files. The American Prospect.

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17. Young, Nick. How Much Inequality can China Stand? From the China Development Brief, 2007.