Global income equality now back at 1820s levels: OECD

[GliderGuider]

Global income equality now back at 1820s levels: OECD

In a major report on global well-being over the past two centuries, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development noted inequality shot up after globalisation took root in the 1980s.

Researchers studied income levels in 25 countries, charted them back in time to 1820 and then collated them as if the world were a single country.

The results showed that income inequality dropped sharply in the middle of the 20th century—which the OECD put down to what it called an "egalitarian revolution", notably with the rise of Communism in Eastern Europe—but then spiked more recently.

"The enormous increase of income inequality on a global scale is one of the most significant—and worrying—features of the development of the world economy in the past 200 years," concluded the OECD in the 269-page report presented to the media.

Climate changing, income inequality spiking, Ebola spreading...

Everybody dance the Eschaton!

[merrily]

1. So, we wiped out a lot of the gains from the Industrial Revolution,

leaving mostly the environmental damage?

Industrial Revolution 1760 to about 1840. Supposedly we're back to economic inequality of 1820.

American Revolution began 1776; French Revolution began 1789. Just saying.

Of course, though, workers today live a hell of a lot better than workers in 1776 or 1789. So, we're probably still too comfortable.

By the time worker get sufficiently uncomfortable, will it be too late? We may never know.

[tanyev]

2. .

[GliderGuider]

3. Chart: Half of All Income Goes to the Top 10 Percent

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/09/income-inequality-top-ten-percent-half-income

[liberal_at_heart]

4. This is the epidemic we should be worrying about. This will end up killing lots more

people than ebola will.

[The2ndWheel]

5. Humanity...civilized humanity

is the 1% of the planet. Privatizing the profits/wealth of the planet, while socializing the costs to the rest of life. We're not giving that up voluntarily either.

[malaise]

6. That's pre- voting rights and Christian socialist let alone

Marxism.
No surprise.

[Octafish]

7. These are the times of the greatest wealth in history.

Yet, for the masses, it's "More austerity, please."

[GliderGuider]

8. A rising tide lifts all boats.

It just lifts some higher than others...