Inequality - An Imbalance In Different Aspects

Name Tutor Course Date Inequality Introduction Inequality may be defined as an imbalance in different aspects or simply the lack of equality. As far as social inequality is concerned, inequality involves an imbalance in access to certain basic as well as secondary needs. The disparities in the distribution of such needs or rights are what is summed up as inequality. Such metrics as an imbalance in income distribution, gender, and health, education, including discrepancies in either material or non-material properties is what is defined as inequality. Usually, inequality is measured within the territories of a country or within individuals or group level such as between urban and rural populaces or between genders. However, when inequality is viewed from the global perspective, it is then referred to as international inequality. Inequality goes hand in hand with equity, which is entangled between two counteractive concepts including equality in opportunities and equality in the product. In reference to equality of opportunities, it simply refers to the equal potential and access to essential public services and rights among individuals. On the other hand, equality in the product or result refers to the actual or the real outcome in terms of the distribution of both material and non-material things both within and between countries. It should, however, be understood that different people or individuals and different countries are endowed with different abilities and resources that despite the fact that all things are kept constant. This, in turn, affects the various metrics used to measure inequality. For instance, income inequality measured among countries as well as among different individuals draw from different countries indicate a huge gap between the richest and the poorest with only 5 percent considered richest compared to 80 percent considered poorestCITATION Tho15 \p 93 \l 1033 (Piketty 93). Studying inequality and understanding the concepts and different aspects used in measuring and quantifying inequality is of great importance because it provides measures to different metrics that can be used to contain or address any form of inequality. Inequality affects people or groups of people differently either directly or indirectly. Since time immemorial, the levels of inequality have been growing tremendously and despite the interminable efforts put forward to fight inequality, it has always maintained an upward trajectory. Understanding the various aspects, trends, and changes including what causes these changes is of vital importance because, through this critical look, the issue of inequality can be addressed appropriately. Besides, understanding inequality is important in the development of public policy as far as human development is concerned. Most importantly, it should be noted that inequality is a rising global phenomenon and this should be of great concern among nations across the world. Quite a number of literature have emerged to explicate the complexity behind inequality including the likes of Mark McGillivray who endeavor to examine inequality from the perspective of poverty and the well-being of people with corresponding empirical procedures. In addition, Amartya Sen in the book “Inequality Re-examined”, expl...