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Income Inequality In A Competitive Environment

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Some arguments suggest that income inequality is a natural result of a competitive environment and can have positive effects on society. For example, it is the product of the Canadian free market. This means that in a market that is driven by self-interest, naturally, some people are going to earn more based on motivation, effort, and choice. Having a free market means that citizens can choose their own livelihood, there is greater potential for innovation, prices are jointly set by producers and consumers and resources are allocated more efficiently. One economic theory states that income inequality can increase total consumer marginal utility. Consumer marginal utility is the additional satisfaction that a consumer will gain from purchasing …show more content…

Per research, there is a direct correlation between decreases in multiple indicators of overall well-being, such as premature death rates and the happiness index, with wealth and income inequality (Fung, 2012). The happiness index is based on wealth, education and health. As seen in Figure 3, the overall well-being of societies is much lower in countries that have higher levels of income inequality. Additionally, it has been shown that in countries who have successfully decreased their income inequality over time, the happiness index has increased (City Lab, 2015). The happiness index peaks at an income of $75,000, meaning that a society will only benefit raising income levels to this point and will see diminishing returns after this (Powdthavee, …show more content…

In general, the economically disadvantaged are forced to spend their income on basic needs such as shelter and food. Because of this, those in this income quintile cannot pay for the various luxuries that the other quintiles can afford. When the families in the lowest income bracket struggle to pay for their essential needs, national economic growth declines because they require greater financial assistance from the government. Children whose parents are struggling financially often live in less regulated environments, which increases their exposure to both health and safety risks and physical and intellectual development. This can result in these children attending lower-quality post-secondary schools or reduced likelihood of attending university or college. Per Forbes, 62 percent of students cannot afford their primary choice school (Lapovsky, 2014). Although these individuals are academically qualified to attend prestigious universities, many are subject to attending a school of lesser quality because of their financial capacity. This shows the severity of income inequality because it creates a barrier to equal opportunity for

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