Background

Wikipedia article: Economic inequality

Income inequality (alternatively ecomomic inequality) means the difference in income (or wealth) between the richest and the poorest indiviuals or households. The topic relates to the moral aspect of fairness.

Interpretation of the judgement rule

The metric given in the draft question relates to a comparison of quintiles. This measure appears feasible and is empiric. However, it has been critizised by economists as it cannot measure equality changes related to the middle class. Alternative measures comprise, inter alia, the more well-known Gini Coefficient.

Controversy

The political protests of the Occupy Wallstreet movement increased public awareness regarding fairness issues of today's economic system. The debate was popularised under the slogan of "We the 99 Percent".

External links

• Eurostat: Income distribution statistics