Inequality in America

Inequality in America • The big question: Should equality—economic or political—matter very much? • Why are economic and political resources in America so unevenly divided? • What happens if there is less inequality? • Most conservatives: We (including the poor) would be all be worse off with less inequality, and addressing it is wrong (either too much government or redistribution) • Most progressives: Inequality harms us all. It undermines growth because it takes money from the poor and middle-class who would otherwise spend it and create a virtuous circle. Moreover not addressing is wrong because wealth and inequality replicate themselves via political and policy choices. • A third possibility: Economic and political inequality don’t matter because what the powerful do with their resources has little impact on everyone else.

Inequality in America: it’s a choice

Inequality in America • http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/01/07/5-facts-about-economic-inequality/: • Despite what Robert Reich says, we’ve always had quite a lot of economic income inequality in the US (last slide) • US is unusually unequal relative to other well off countries. Esp. those that weren’t primarily settle by the British. • Looking at income by race, there is considerable evidence that political and social inequality replicates itself over time (i.e., structural racism). When you look at the data on race, ask yourself what would happen if a business displayed this pattern in how it paid people? • Wealth inequality is more unevenly distributed than income inequality? • When is severe inequality in wealth ok? When should we ask hard questions? • Conservative and libertarian arguments on liberty; these folks vs. Robert Reich on the relationship between redistribution and growth • John Rawls and thinking about the Indian model: What’s better if you have to choose---low growth + low inequality or high growth + high inequality • Class mobility, race/gender issues, and the relationship between wealth and political power

SHOULD WE CARE THAT SOME PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS WHILE MANY DO NOT? • Should lots of every day people be involved in politics? Why didn’t our Founders… or Plato… or Aristotle think so? • Do people know enough to participate? • Are people capable of looking at the long-term, common good? • Do the well off have more “skin in the game”? What about taxes and tipping points? • Leftist cynics: Losing your money at the slot machine is different than losing it in the parking lot. Is America’s “republicanism” (indirect democracy) and moneyed politics the equivalent of a slot machine? • Legitimacy and signaling: If one party wins 60 percent of the vote and 70 percent turned out (42% of the electorate), what is the mandate? • Look at the overall track-record of democratic societies on liberties and human rights (including our own): the more democratic and participatory the system is, the better off we all are.

What is political participation? • What is a “political” activity? What do political scientists measure when looking at participation • Your readings: Votes, time, dollars, knowledge & civic skills • Think about the First Amendment’s priorities vs. what it says about voting • Participation in democratic vs. totalitarian vs. authoritarian systems? Is there that big of a difference? • What is the purpose of political activity? How much is necessary? What types matter most? Do you really have to get involved in formal politics or can you virtually be engaged? • Is “violence” a form of “political” participation? What about law breaking that can be characterized as civil disobedience? • Does non-participation in politics count as participation… If it’s done on purpose • Most Americans don’t participate regularly, even in voting, but is that a really problem? • Big question 1: Do voters and non voters mostly look alike? • Big question 2: Do non-voters want different things? (more on both in a minute) • Big question 3: How much choice are the most powerful and wealthy in our society exercising before any of us have a chance to vote or participate in the selection of candidates

Findings from 2013 research by Page and Bartels Study of Millionaires (N=83)

Findings from research by Ben Page and Martin Gilens (Logistic Regression) on policy adoption

The Political Behavior of Wealthy AmericansDavid E. Broockman† Gregory Ferenstein‡ Neil Malhotra; 2017

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS WHILE MANY DO NOT? • Forget about what people want for a second and think about the big picture… What does it do to governability if most Americans don’t vote, give time, or give money? • How are changes in technology and micro-targeting impacting social voice? How about changes in campaign finance laws?

Are elections the best kind of participation? • What limitations do even democratic elections have on who votes and how? Should ID be required? What registration requirements should there be? Should certain groups be disqualified (e.g., military, homeless, youth, imprisoned, formally imprisoned)? • Should voting be mandatory? Should it be made easier? • Should there be more direct vs. representative democracy? Are referenda, initiatives, & recalls a good idea now that we have the technology? • What positions should be elected? Which shouldn’t? (insulation) • What is “deliberative” democratic participation? • Should we publicly fund elections? What limitations if any should be have on private expenditures? • How—if at all—should we use elections to ensure the political voice of “minorities”?

Inequality in America