Economic inequality in the United States has steadily increased throughout the past decades and has consequently led to many social conditions that negatively impact the lower and middle class. The unequal distribution of income and wealth is primarily due to the capitalist government economy as well as globalization and technological advances. Political inequality is similarly another consequence that results from the economic disparity that further affects democracy and political representation of many Americans. This likewise leads to the creation of social movements, in which many unprivileged Americans seek government attention to overcome the inequality that exists amongst the socioeconomic classes. After the recovery of the Great
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Wealthy Americans tend to have a greater voice in politics because they are better informed, are more likely to vote and contribute more to candidates, advocacy groups and other parties. This further leads to representational inequality, where “[…] the interest group inside lobbying game is dominated by business corporations, industry trade associations, and associations of the professions […]” (p.204). Such institutions and corporations are economically well off to the extent where they contribute to political action committees, also known as PACs. On the other hand, Super PAC organizations tend to receive “outside money” that is not regulated and not limited to the amount of donations raised from corporations, labor unions or wealthy individuals to influence the outcome of presidential elections. (p.206). Because large corporations play a vital and significant role in the economy, they are portrayed as the voice of national interest in which the government listens more attentively to their demands rather than the demands of society as a whole. Corporations along with the wealthy top 1 percent are considered to be equal in which they are capable of coming together to form powerful alliances. This demonstrates how democracy is affected by economic inequality due to the …show more content…
The Occupy Wall Street movement, for example, brought much attention to the unfair wealth distribution that exists within the economy. Many Americans protested against the government not taking action on “[…] diminished job prospects, stagnant wages crippling student loan debt, and declining living standards” (231).Such protest movements gain much attraction with various Americans who share similar interests, and therefore gather to make a change. There are many ways Americans can ameliorate and solve issues regarding economic and political inequality; this may include informing the public of the problems occurring and thus have petitions signed to spread the message across. An example of such movement named the “Other 98%” is a nonprofit organization and grassroots network of concerned people that shines a light on economic injustice, corporate influence, and threats to democracy”.
Wealthy Americans tend to have a greater voice in politics because they are better informed, are more likely to vote and contribute more to candidates, advocacy groups and other parties. This further leads to representational inequality, where “[…] the interest group inside lobbying game is dominated by business corporations, industry trade associations, and associations of the professions […]” (p.204). Such institutions and corporations are economically well off to the extent where they contribute to political action committees, also known as PACs. On the other hand, Super PAC organizations tend to receive “outside money” that is not regulated and not limited to the amount of donations raised from corporations, labor unions or wealthy individuals to influence the outcome of presidential elections. (p.206). Because large corporations play a vital and significant role in the economy, they are portrayed as the voice of national interest in which the government listens more attentively to their demands rather than the demands of society as a whole. Corporations along with the wealthy top 1 percent are considered to be equal in which they are capable of coming together to form powerful alliances. This demonstrates how democracy is affected by economic inequality due to the …show more content…
The Occupy Wall Street movement, for example, brought much attention to the unfair wealth distribution that exists within the economy. Many Americans protested against the government not taking action on “[…] diminished job prospects, stagnant wages crippling student loan debt, and declining living standards” (231).Such protest movements gain much attraction with various Americans who share similar interests, and therefore gather to make a change. There are many ways Americans can ameliorate and solve issues regarding economic and political inequality; this may include informing the public of the problems occurring and thus have petitions signed to spread the message across. An example of such movement named the “Other 98%” is a nonprofit organization and grassroots network of concerned people that shines a light on economic injustice, corporate influence, and threats to democracy”.