As you were

After a period on the wane, inequality is waxing again

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B Walton

'Research by Peter Lindert and Jeffrey Williamson shows that on the eve of the American revolution incomes in the 13 colonies that formed the United States were more equal than in virtually “any other place on the planet”.'

Did the include the American Indians and the slaves in these numbers?


In India, the gap between the rich and the poor is probably the starkest in the burgeoning metropolis of Mumbai. Overpopulated slums abound in midst of skyscrapers where handful of elite reside. Irresponsible construction policies have created a situation where fewer and fewer people live in larger and larger homes while life for vast hordes is a constant scramble from one drying height to the next on the crumbling shores of Mumbai. This is an example where redistribution of wealth alone will not provide the solution. It has to also combine with better planning schemes and sound policy decisions, some of which may be unpalatable to the powerful.

Further, as far as mere redistribution of wealth is concerned, it's fastest (not easiest though) done in India. All that the Government has to do is to ensure that -

(a)Politicians and bureaucrats do not filch public money earmarked for public services and schemes (and there are a whole lot of them in India plus likelihood of more on the horizon before the next elections)to inflate their own coffers, which in any case, must be substantial by now, given that India achieved independence nearly seven decades back.

(b)Implement policies whereby the benefits of the country's natural resources are not restricted to the grubby hands of the few who are rich, famous and politically well connected, as is the case now.


In the summary of "Pride and Prejudice," the article said that Mrs. Bennet was upset that Elizabeth did not marry Mr.Darcy. Mrs. Bennet was only upset when Elizabeth did not marry her cousin Mr. Collins, if you read the novel or have seen the TV adaptations. It is true that Mrs. Bennet wanted her daughters to marry well,since the estate was entailed to Mr.Collins.

Damn Dirty Ape

Regarding Jane Austin, I always wondered why the girls father couldn't just sell off his estate and transfer his wealth to his daughters during his lifetime.


Dear author,

You write that "The industrial revolution widened the gaps both between countries and within them. As incomes accelerated in western Europe and then America, the distance between these countries and others grew. So, too, did internal income disparities. One study suggests that England’s Gini coefficient shot up from 0.4 in 1823 to 0.63 in 1871. Mill workers were more productive and earned more than rural labourers. The great industrialists reaped the rewards of building railways, steel mills and other transformative technologies. Their fortunes were also boosted by monopolistic power and crony capitalism."

In his book "A Farewell to Alms" Gregory Clark agrees that industrial revolution has widened the gap among countries, but industrial revolution reduced inequility within socities.

Is it because you compare the beginning of the industrial revolution and its end? The author of the book compares the pre-industrial revolution socities and socities after the revolution and draws a different conclusion. Could you please explain?

Do you have some other evidence to argue with Gregory?

Özkay Özen

"It also hit the rich world’s less educated folk with unaccustomed competition."

There is not any more difference to get the information for people whether they connect from a rich or a poor country.
Progress is more related with oneself who deserve this.
This opportunity equiavalence will make the world more productive.


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