Comments on: Recession and Inequality http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/ The Sweet Release of Reason Tue, 22 May 2012 20:28:45 +0000 hourly 1 By: GU http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20593 GU Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:39:18 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20593 Right on Will. I think many people are confused about inequality. They think that since envy and relative status are generally important to us, maybe even hardwired into human nature in some sense, that we should worry about it. But, if it is people's well-being you are worried about, then inequality per se does not matter. <br><br>Simply because many people are naturally jealous does not mean that morality requires an egalitarian society. It might be that morality requires us to actively check our envy since we are all better off under a system that allows some to get quite rich relative to others (since "the economy" is not a zero-sum game). Right on Will. I think many people are confused about inequality. They think that since envy and relative status are generally important to us, maybe even hardwired into human nature in some sense, that we should worry about it. But, if it is people's well-being you are worried about, then inequality per se does not matter.

Simply because many people are naturally jealous does not mean that morality requires an egalitarian society. It might be that morality requires us to actively check our envy since we are all better off under a system that allows some to get quite rich relative to others (since “the economy” is not a zero-sum game).

]]> By: John Thacker http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20594 John Thacker Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:37:47 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20594 Right. As I posted on her site, the difference between the haves and have-nots within a class, or field, or qualifications, or even somewhat within a specific level of education, is increasing. But the difference between the rich generally speaking and the poor is decreasing.<br><br>As an attempt to try to see the other side, I suppose that the difference is interesting to people because it can highlight the effect of luck in one's success. You can do all the right things, but if you graduate in the wrong year as opposed to a different one, you can be much worse off. To some people, that's significant. (Yes, you've discussed the issue extensively before.) Right. As I posted on her site, the difference between the haves and have-nots within a class, or field, or qualifications, or even somewhat within a specific level of education, is increasing. But the difference between the rich generally speaking and the poor is decreasing.

As an attempt to try to see the other side, I suppose that the difference is interesting to people because it can highlight the effect of luck in one's success. You can do all the right things, but if you graduate in the wrong year as opposed to a different one, you can be much worse off. To some people, that's significant. (Yes, you've discussed the issue extensively before.)

]]> By: Will Wilkinson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20592 Will Wilkinson Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:19:42 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20592 I agree. But I'm still more worried about the fact that people are unemployed and doing badly than the difference in how the unemployed are doing relative to the employed. Why is the difference interesting? I agree. But I'm still more worried about the fact that people are unemployed and doing badly than the difference in how the unemployed are doing relative to the employed. Why is the difference interesting?

]]> By: Megan McArdle http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20591 Megan McArdle Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:14:36 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20591 It depends on your definition of haves and have-nots. I think the difference between Bill Gates and his secretary is not very interesting. But I think the difference between the employed and the unemployed is major during a slow job market. It depends on your definition of haves and have-nots. I think the difference between Bill Gates and his secretary is not very interesting. But I think the difference between the employed and the unemployed is major during a slow job market.

]]> By: GU http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20590 GU Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:39:18 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20590 Right on Will. I think many people are confused about inequality. They think that since envy and relative status are generally important to us, maybe even hardwired into human nature in some sense, that we should worry about it. But, if it is people's well-being you are worried about, then inequality per se does not matter. <br><br>Simply because many people are naturally jealous does not mean that morality requires an egalitarian society. It might be that morality requires us to actively check our envy since we are all better off under a system that allows some to get quite rich relative to others (since "the economy" is not a zero-sum game). Right on Will. I think many people are confused about inequality. They think that since envy and relative status are generally important to us, maybe even hardwired into human nature in some sense, that we should worry about it. But, if it is people's well-being you are worried about, then inequality per se does not matter.

Simply because many people are naturally jealous does not mean that morality requires an egalitarian society. It might be that morality requires us to actively check our envy since we are all better off under a system that allows some to get quite rich relative to others (since “the economy” is not a zero-sum game).

]]> By: John Thacker http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20589 John Thacker Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:37:47 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20589 Right. As I posted on her site, the difference between the haves and have-nots within a class, or field, or qualifications, or even somewhat within a specific level of education, is increasing. But the difference between the rich generally speaking and the poor is decreasing.<br><br>As an attempt to try to see the other side, I suppose that the difference is interesting to people because it can highlight the effect of luck in one's success. You can do all the right things, but if you graduate in the wrong year as opposed to a different one, you can be much worse off. To some people, that's significant. (Yes, you've discussed the issue extensively before.) Right. As I posted on her site, the difference between the haves and have-nots within a class, or field, or qualifications, or even somewhat within a specific level of education, is increasing. But the difference between the rich generally speaking and the poor is decreasing.

As an attempt to try to see the other side, I suppose that the difference is interesting to people because it can highlight the effect of luck in one's success. You can do all the right things, but if you graduate in the wrong year as opposed to a different one, you can be much worse off. To some people, that's significant. (Yes, you've discussed the issue extensively before.)

]]> By: Will Wilkinson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20588 Will Wilkinson Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:19:42 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20588 I agree. But I'm still more worried about the fact that people are unemployed and doing badly than the difference in how the unemployed are doing relative to the unemployed. Why is the difference interesting? I agree. But I'm still more worried about the fact that people are unemployed and doing badly than the difference in how the unemployed are doing relative to the unemployed. Why is the difference interesting?

]]> By: Megan McArdle http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/05/recession-and-inequality/#comment-20587 Megan McArdle Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:14:36 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2699#comment-20587 It depends on your definition of haves and have-nots. I think the difference between Bill Gates and his secretary is not very interesting. But I think the difference between the employed and the unemployed is major during a slow job market. It depends on your definition of haves and have-nots. I think the difference between Bill Gates and his secretary is not very interesting. But I think the difference between the employed and the unemployed is major during a slow job market.

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