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RISING SOCIO-ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES – CAUSES AND IMPLICATIONS.

According to A.B. Atkinson, the concept economic inequality basically refers to inequality that exists in terms of wealth and income. Social inequality on the other hand refers to the lack of uniformity in social set up of a society i.e The enjoyments of rights and social freedoms, human rights and social statuses by a few on the expense of others. A pivotal example to quote here would be of the middle east. The region is highly gifted one considering that most of the world’s crude oil comes from there. It thereby became one of the most prosperous region in the world.

But, in hindsight, most of its countries are characterized by high amount of socio-economic inequalities. Only a few are reaping the benefits of development and GDP whereas most of them suffer in poverty. The inequalities of middle east are as high as Brazil and South Africa despite being so rich, wealthy and prosperous. The top 10% here take away 70% of the country’s wealth and the bottom 50% feed on just 10% of the wealth. The income inequality is also complimented by social inequalities of many kinds. The state of women is desperate with draconian laws like not allowing them to wear anything except hijab, until 2012 women weren’t allowed to drive in Saudi along with no freedom of speech and expression and freedom to protest.

If we move away a bit lack of income and wealth also forces one to give away his/her social freedoms like right to good health and/or right to good education. The capitalist ‘developed’ states have failed to provide correct mechanisms for these things and once again the poor have suffered. Most of the wealth though, procured under the masks of capitalism is illegal. For example a few years back, Apple committed tax evasion and tax fraud under its prominent tax haven Ireland. Apple failed to pay tax on 15.95 billion USD of its profits in 2016 and evaded it with Ireland’s help along with a net work of banks, lawyers and shell companies. Originating from a country where millions have no access to adequate healthcare and pharma prices are sky rocketing at a rate of 200% since 80’s Apple’s feat under capitalism seems unjust to the naked eye.

The consequences of such a feat was inadequate and unaccessible healthcare in the USA (not just cause of apple but capitalism as a whole). Globally, the accumulation of resources is in the hands of 0.01% of the population. In terms of social inequality, the rich, powerful and wealthy castes/classes/religion enjoy social freedoms on the expense of the marginalised. This directly results in stemming of social evils like poverty, protests, diseases, high rate of crime and terrorism along with death. Even nations globally struggle amongst each other for equality as the developing ones suffer at the behest of the developed.

It is evident that economic inequality has had adverse economic, social and political impacts for social stability and cohesion, political participation, poverty reduction, as well as the enjoyment of human rights. In addition, economic inequalities impede the enjoyment of social, cultural and economic rights, thus contributing to persistent socio-economic disadvantages among social groups.

Head back in time to the age of caste system in India. Although not rigid initially it progressed to be draconian. Social values of ‘religion’ and ‘dharma’ intertwined with it along with economic inequalities of wealth and income faced by the shudras. While the social set up made it imperative to follow the Varnas, economic inequalities along with social inequalities were the products of such a set up. When we talk about consequences, they are felt even today. Presently too women along with SC, ST and OBC are discriminated. These castes dwindle in poverty, lack of education and healthcare along with negligible human rights leading to policies like reservation which even today haven’t lead to mass improvements.

When we talk about women safety, the inequalities were perpetuated because of rules like ‘not allowing them to work’ leading to income inequalities and others like ‘dowry, pardah system and sati’ leading to social inequalities respectively. Obvious consequences thereafter were that today a women is raped every 15 minutes in India. Over 70% of rapes occur in their own homes and close to 20% are reported. Only 5% of the accused are convicted despite legal reforms of IPC 375, POCSO and fast track courts. Most of these women belong from marginalised communities and rural areas. Compare the rapes of brahmin women with those of the marginalised ones and see the magical statistical differences of it all.

Socio-economic inequalities are shaped by practices, historical contexts and mindsets. Their consequences are common ones like poverty, destitution, lack of rights and low standards of living amongst many. They wont change until mindsets and customs change and they wont stop until such practices stop.

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