Samuel Pennypacker (UC Berkeley) on Economic Inequality
April 2, 2012
Is Economic Inequality the Single Greatest Problem in America Today?
No one can deny the problem of economic inequality, and the statistics make the case very clearly. The United States has the highest GINI Index rating of any first-world country. Though seemingly fundamental to many other problems, economic inequality is the result of a greater problem, a symptom of a deeper corruption in the system. This flaw leads to many different inequalities in everything from economics to education and health care.
In an election year where almost all of the rhetoric from both parties centers on the economy, it’s hard to imagine there is a problem greater than inequality right now. The ‘Great Recession’ left millions out of work and our economy weakened. Though with a huge surge in public outcry and animosity, Washington seems incapable and, at times, unwilling to do anything worthwhile. Congress looks more like a high school cafeteria than a governing body. What’s going on?
There is a curious element of American political thought that I think is to blame. In our most patriotic moments, we savor democracy and our sovereignty as “We the People”. But when it comes down to actually governing, we often retreat to the safety of traditional localism and individualism, derived from a fear of tyrannical domination. I believe this attitude leaves us incapable of admitting, let alone solving, complex national problems.
The Constitution clearly puts limits on the power of the federal government and for good reason. But we need to keep in mind it was written when the national government faced problems far less encompassing and complex. The very scope of our current crises demands a coordinated national effort that does still fall within the bounds of constitutionality. However, if we continue to cling to outdated policies and harshly individualistic approaches we will fail. Only a people who can see government as a public tool rather than an enemy will allow be able to unite, though not necessarily agree, to solve the biggest challenges we face as a people. We must be able to craft national policies that actually address the grave inequalities present in our country and meet the needs of all, not a few. We have done it before, and I hope we can do it again.
There is a curious element of American political thought that I think is to blame. In our most patriotic moments, we savor democracy and our sovereignty as “We the People”. But when it comes down to actually governing, we often retreat to the safety of traditional localism and individualism, derived from a fear of tyrannical domination. I believe this attitude leaves us incapable of admitting, let alone solving, complex national problems.
The Constitution clearly puts limits on the power of the federal government and for good reason. But we need to keep in mind it was written when the national government faced problems far less encompassing and complex. The very scope of our current crises demands a coordinated national effort that does still fall within the bounds of constitutionality. However, if we continue to cling to outdated policies and harshly individualistic approaches we will fail. Only a people who can see government as a public tool rather than an enemy will allow be able to unite, though not necessarily agree, to solve the biggest challenges we face as a people. We must be able to craft national policies that actually address the grave inequalities present in our country and meet the needs of all, not a few. We have done it before, and I hope we can do it again.
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