The problem of social inequality in the USA
https://doi.org/10.26425/1816-4277-2023-12-248-259
Abstract
The article explores the problem of social inequality in modern American society. The author draws attention to various aspects of this phenomenon, including economic inequality in terms of income, wealth, access to education and health care, age, racial-ethnic and gender aspects. In the USA the social in-equality level is one of the highest in the world. The article cites statistics and scientific papers that demonstrate the growing gulf between the rich and the poor. It also emphasizes how racial and gender discrimination affects social inequality, preventing individuals from realizing their full potential. The problem of social stratification has been shown. The article also focuses on the poverty rate and the phenomenon of the working poor. The author gives an illustration of social inequality by cities and states. Social inequality in the USA has a long history and an increasing trend, i.e. it is a chronic social inequality. General scientific methods, systemic and complex approaches were used. The article presents an overview of social inequality problem in the USA and suggests ways of its solution. It emphasizes the need for an integrated approach and cooperation between different population groups to achieve a more just and equitable society.
About the Author
N. E. PetrovskayaRussian Federation
Natalia E. Petrovskaya, Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Senior Researcher
Moscow
References
1. Unites States Census Bureau. Income in the United States: 2021. https://thebasispoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Census-US-Income-2021-report-The-Basis-Point.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
2. Stiglitz J. People, Power, and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent. Мoscow: Alpina Publisher; 2020. 430 p. (In Russian).
3. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Has Wealth Inequality in America Changed over Time? Here Are Key Statistics. https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2020/december/has-wealth-inequality-changed-over-time-key-statistics (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
4. Aspen Institute. Financial security program. 101 solutions for inclusive wealth buildings. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ASP-FSW_101Solutions_FINAL_Single1.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
5. Atkinson A. Inequality. What Can Be Done? Мoscow: Delo; 2018. 536 p. (In Russian).
6. United States Census Bureau. Census Bureau Profile. https://www.commerce.gov/bureaus-and-offices/census (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
7. United States Census Bureau. The Chance That Two People Chosen at Random Are of Different Race or Ethnicity Groups Has Increased Since 2010. https://ifp.nyu.edu/2023/grey-literature/the-chance-that-two-people-chosen-at-random-are-of-different-race-or-ethnicity-groups-has-increased-since-2010/ (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
8. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Foreign-born workers: labor force characteristics – 2022. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/forbrn.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
9. Center for Immigration Studies. Estimating the Illegal Immigrant Population Using the Current Population Survey. https://cis.org/Report/Estimating-Illegal-Immigrant-Population-Using-Current-Population-Survey (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
10. Congressional Budget Office. The Distribution of Household Income, 2019. https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2022-11/58353-House-holdIncome.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
11. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Wealth Impacts of the Great Recession on Young Families. https://www.stlouisfed.org/household-financial-stability/the-demographics-of-wealth/wealth-impacts-of-great-recession-on-young-families (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
12. Henley & Partners. USA Wealth Report. https://thebasispoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-many-billionaires-and-millionaires-want-to-leave-America-because-theyre-so-over-the-news-cycle-Henley-Partners-2023-Wealth-Report-The-Basis-Point.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
13. Federal Reserve System. Distribution of Household Wealth in the U.S. since 1989. https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/dfa/distribute/table/#quarter:134;series:Assets;demographic:income;population:all;units:shares (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
14. Aspen Institute. Charts that Explain Wealth Inequality in the United States. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/charts-that-explain-wealth-inequality-in-the-united-states/ (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
15. United States Census Bureau. 2019 Data Show Baby Boomers Nearly 9 Times Wealthier Than Millennials. https://hispanicad.com/news/baby-boomers-nearly-9-times-wealthier-than-millennials/ (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
16. United States Census Bureau. Income and Poverty in the United States: 2020. https://cps.ipums.org/cps/resources/poverty/PovReport20.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
17. Chetty R., Jackson M.O., Kuchler T. et al. Social capital I: measurement and associations with economic mobility. Nature.2022;608(7921):108–121. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-04996-4
18. Petrovskaya N.E. The working poor in the USA. Economic Analysis: Theory and Practice. 2018;17(5):919–928. (In Russian). doi: 10.24891/ea.17.5.919
19. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. A profile of the working poor, 2020. https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/working-poor/2020/home.htm (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
20. Children’s Defense Fund. The State of America’s Children. https://www.childrensdefense.org/the-state-of-americas-children/soac-2023-income-inequality/ (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
21. Equilar. CEO Factbook. https://www.equilar.com/executive-factbook (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
22. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Woman in the labor force. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/data/facts-over-time/women-in-the-labor-force (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
23. World Economic Forum. Global Gender Gap Report 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2022.pdf (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
24. New World Report. The USA Wealth Report: America’s Millionaires Are on the Move. https://www.thenewworldreport.com/the-usa-wealth-report-americas-millionaires-are-on-the-move/ (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
25. The Nation. Bernie Sanders Asks Fed Chair Whether the US Is an Oligarchy. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/bernie-sanders-asks-fed-chair-whether-us-oligarchy/ (accessed 10. 10. 2023).
26. Grigoryev L.M., Grigoryeva N.L. U.S. economy and social structure before the change of eras. Voprosy Ekonomiki. 2021;(1):98–119. (In Russian). doi: 10.32609/0042-8736-2021-1-98-119
Review
For citations:
Petrovskaya N.E. The problem of social inequality in the USA. Vestnik Universiteta. 2023;(12):248-259. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26425/1816-4277-2023-12-248-259