Abstract America as the land of opportunity is a concept that has been around since the country's inception. Americans should have the economic opportunity that is associated with this general concept. As such, the topic of income inequality is of great importance. This paper explores the effects of international trade, immigration, and unionism on income inequality.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Income Inequality The Effects of International Trade on Income Inequality The Effects of Immigration on Income Inequality The Effects of the Decline of Unionism on Income Inequality Is Income Inequality Getting a Bad Rap?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Rising inequality and decreasing poverty could very well be a consistent feature of the New Economy. Rapid technological advancements have not only created great fortunes for a select few, but have also substantially improved the wages and quality of life for people at the lower end of the economic ladder. A better-educated society has also led to less poverty, while still increasing the income inequality gap, since those with college degrees have a wider spread of incomes. Although income inequality is disturbing, it is far better than poverty. More income inequality, with a faster growing economy, and less poverty is far more desirable than an economy with equal distribution of income but a high rate of poverty. This is not the first time in history that this blend of greater income inequality and reduced poverty has occurred."
Abstract This paper explores how racism in America has affected public opinion toward immigration and minorities. The paper begins with a discussion of America's historic support for immigration and then argues that this support has been corrupted by racism. The paper also cites statistics about demographic changes in the U.S. over the past several decades, examining how certain minority populations have actually grown to be nearly on par with the Caucasian majority in some places. This realignment, according to the paper, has challenged some of the deeply-rooted notions of what it means to be in a majority, which, in turn, has sparked a new wave of racism from previously more tolerant quarters. The pain concludes by studying recent research efforts to to explore the structural roots of inequality in America, focusing on a Rhode Island study on the tension between strong individual rights promised to U.S. citizens and ethnic or racial discrimination against African-Americans and other minority groups.
From the Paper "The paradox of a US national identity involves multiple contradictions, such as citizenship rights promised to US citizens in contrast with differential group discrimination; of external and internal forms of racism with and through one another accepting and excluding certain categories of citizens; of civic and ethnic nationalisms that respond to the established but unstable two-faced US national identity; the combined change and continuity that has allowed American society to constantly and repeatedly transform while retaining a deeply entrenched racial hierarchy; and a deeply gendered or masculine American family ideal that constructs and hides these contradictions, at the same time. Addressing these inconsistencies, inequalities and contradictions requires listening to those with different interpretations of how it is to be treated "like one of the US national family" but actually excluded from that US national family altogether. It will mean finding a way to reconfigure that long-standing relationships among race, ethnicity and that idealized US national identity as well as working to reclaim the language of family in the process."
Abstract Inequalities that present themselves in health are of great interest today, and there has been a lot of insight into possible pathways in which these inequalities may influence health in society. Although a lot of the literature on the topic of inequality has argued the negative effects and injustices that rise from it, this paper focuses on whether these inequalities, can in fact, ever be justified.
From the Paper "In order to best deduct a reasonable conclusion about inequality and its effect on health, one must understand the idea of equality and its various perceived relationships that society associates with it. The concept of equality insinuates a "...correspondence between different objects, persons, processes or circumstances that have the same qualities in at least one respect, but not all respects." Therefore a judgment on equality between two objects presumes a difference between the things being compared. Equality is not a measure of indenticality or sameness but as noted, recognition of the differences or inequality present, a comparative measure. The idea of equality, or at least its relevance to health and society, nominates various standpoints that influence the way inequality is upheld. Utilatarianism promotes that the "...interests of all should be treated equally without consideration of interest or an individual's material situation." This concept strictly views each person to be counted as one and equal and therefore there is no claim to higher grounds or importance regardless of contents of interests or an individuals material situation. Therefore in situations wherein interests are present, resources must be fairly aggregated. The fair aggregation of resources is argued by utilitarians as being the pathway that provides maximum utilitisation or benefit. Libertarianism on the other hand represents minimalist positions in relation to equality or distributive justice. The concept asserts an original right to freedom and property and hence argues "...against redistribution of resources and social rights and for the free market." Asserting an opposition to equality, Libertarians argue that the individual right to freedom can only be "...limited for the sake of foreign and domestic peace." This concept holds highly the idea of market freedom, opposing redistributive justice in turn for social justice or equality. A final popular view on equality is the Egalitarian stance which is said to be in favour of equality, more specifically, people should receive the same, be treated the same, or as equals. In health today egalitarian concepts tend to take the side of equality right across the axis, being that it is unfair or unjust (moral significance) for someone to be worse off than another through no fault of their own. Equality and the different views possessed throughout society present ways in which it can be understood and how it may operate and be justified in certain situations. These definitions provide a platform that enables an insight into whether inequality in health could in some cases, be justified under a certain rationale."
Abstract The paper offers a report on the book "Savage Inequalities" by Jonathan Kozol, in which Kozol addresses some of the failures he sees in the American educational system. The paper explains how Kozol specifically looks at how they reflect institutional discrimination and the failure to address the needs of minority children. The paper notes that these are the inequalities of the title, seen in the way schools in predominantly white neighborhoods are more likely to have sufficient funding, while schools in poor and minority neighborhoods do not.
From the Paper "In his book "Savage Inequalities," Jonathan Kozol addresses some of the failures he sees in the American educational system, especially as they reflect institutional discrimination and the failure to address the needs of minority children. These are the inequalities of the title, seen in the way schools in predominantly white neighborhoods are more likely to have sufficient funding, while schools in poor and minority neighborhoods do not. Kozol himself has been a teacher, though he has not been working in the classroom for some time. For this book, Kozol returns to a classroom in East St. Louis, considered an area with a depressed economy and with many economic problems in the public schools. East St. Louis is also a black community, one that has a number of problems because of the drainage system from an area called the Bluffs, which contributes nothing to correcting this problem."
Abstract This four page paper examines social inequality and poverty in Canada. The paper suggests that poverty and social inequality have always existed in human societies, for they are the inevitable consequences of materialism, prejudice, and economic injustice. The paper goes on to suggest that the persistence of poverty and social inequality in Canada demonstrates that even in advanced, industrialized, democratic societies, many people continue to be victimized by powerful economic, political, and social forces beyond their control.
From the Paper "Poverty and Social Inequality in Canada: An Analysis Tragically, poverty and social inequality have always existed in human societies, for they are the inevitable consequences of materialism, prejudice, and economic injustice. The persistence of poverty and social inequality in Canada demonstrates that even in advanced, industrialized, democratic societies, many people continue to be victimized by alliances between the government and powerful business interests. According to Canadian census data collected and analyzed by researchers such as Picot and Myles (2005) there is a widening gap between rich and poor in Canada, and a sharp increase in the number of working people who earn less than twenty-thousand dollars a year."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses Jonathan Kozol's book, 'Savage Inequalities'. According to the paper, this book documents the devastating inequalities in American schools, focusing on public education's "savage inequalities" between affluent districts and poor districts. The paper reports that Kozol's main argument is that public education should be free and equal to people of all economic classes. The paper concludes with the personal perspective of the writer.
From the Paper "Shock and anger turned to sadness. While reading the accounts told by the children, I often had tears in my eyes. These children know that they are not receiving an equal education, and many end up feeling like they do not deserve one. These children have dreams and aspirations that most will never achieve due to the lack of opportunities made available to them. The part of the book that shocked me the most was when Kozol reported on the schools in Camden, New Jersey. Camden is so close to my home and my schools, that it is almost unbelievable that the conditions could be so horrid. Of course you would come to expect these inequalities in New York or Chicago, but never this close to home. After finishing this book, the ways in which I view education has changed. I hope now that I can become more involved politically, to advocate for these types of schools. Conditions in these schools have to change, and the public needs to become more aware of the situation."
A review of Edna Bonacich's article "Inequality in America: The Failure of the American System for People of Color "and Jonathan Kozol's article "Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid".
1,151 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 39.95
Abstract This paper reviews the articles "Inequality in America: The Failure of the American System for People of Color", written by Edna Bonacich and"Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid" by Jonathan Kozol. The paper explores Bonacich's claims that racial inequality is rooted in economic inequality, and also explains Kozol's contests on the belief that the public school system in the United States is no longer segregated. The author analyzes how Kozol's indictment of the educational system illustrates the problem with which Bonacich is concerned with.
From the Paper "Describing the unequal distribution of wealth, benefits, and property in the United States, Bonacich is able to demonstrate the large difference between the bottom of the social and economic basement and the top. Furthermore, she maintains that those few found in the elitist position are able to reap the benefits of material wealth such as social status, political voice, and job availability. The middle class' role in this hierarchy can be depicted as the "semi-elite," given a better social and economic standing by the dominating high class as compensation for there services. Their sole purpose is to keep this system of inequality in balance by regulating the poor class. While the utter poor find themselves living in impoverish conditions, working undesirable jobs, and seen as social scum. She asks how are those located at the bottom of the system going to strive to better them selves if there is no hansom reward for their work and how much harder does person making a six figure salary work than one making only a four figure; proclaims that those found at the bottom are seemingly trapped in this basement."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that illegal immigration is one of the biggest controversies and highly debated issue in the United States of America. The writer maintains that the impact of illegal immigration on the U.S economy is omnipresent with the U.S economy falling while emerging economies are making significant progress. The writer notes that many economists believe that the illegal immigration into America is a kind of economic war being waged against the Americans. The law makers and the officials in the Government have taken notice of the growing impact of illegal immigrants on the U.S economy and have taken steps to amend the existing laws so as to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States of America. The writer discusses that apart from the economic impact, illegal immigration has brought with it other social, religious and security problems. The writer looks at the different faces of illegal immigration and its effects on Americans.
Outline:
Introduction
Illegal immigrants Modes of Entry
Origin of Illegal Immigrants in America
Impact of Illegal Immigration Economic Impact
Numerical Data to Support the Economic Impact
Other Faces of Illegal Immigration Security Issues and Costs
Education and Medical Care Costs
Environment Degradation
Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the most profound impacts is the decrease in the wages of low skilled workers in America. Jobs that Americans refuse to take because of lower wages are now being taken up by illegal immigrants. This has resulted in unemployment among the Americans. American companies often prefer foreign workers who work harder for a lesser pay than the American citizens. This has lead to improper distribution of income and increased the gap between the rich and poor American citizens. Another reason why the American companies prefer foreign employees is both the employer and employee can easily escape from paying taxes to the Government. The undocumented workers do not pay their taxes. In the case of American employees the taxes are deducted from their pay roll. Although illegal immigrants increase the profits for their employers they hurt the American taxpayers. Since most of the illegal immigrants have low educational qualification and low skill level they are most employed for lower wages in poor working condition mostly in underworld economies. Hence the illegal immigrants easily evade the payment of taxes without their knowledge."
Abstract This essay answers the question of whether or not economic progress can take place without resulting in inequality. The writer discusses that looking at today's world and the number of wealth inequities, one is tempted to think that it is not possible, but the essay concludes that it is technically possible. However, the writer notes that since colonialism, this has grown further and further to sustain.
From the Paper "Looking at the distribution of wealth across the world today, as well as the fact that the growth of western, 'developed' countries often seems to have occurred at the expense of less developed Asian and African countries, it would is tempting to conclude that inequality is a necessary condition for economic growth. This is based on the premise that growth in one area takes away from someone else - and certainly, this is often the case. The growth of the European economies in the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries was built upon colonial exploitation."
Abstract This paper explores Asian immigration to the United States during the 1970s. It describes the impact Asian immigration had on America since that time, the different Asian groups who arrived and the social and political reasons for their voyage to America. The author writes that Asian immigration to the U.S. began over a century ago, in 1830 Chinese immigrants entered New York, since then Asian immigrants have become one of largest foreign-born groups in America. The paper introduces a Taiwanese immigrant, Wu Hsiung Chu and presents the details of his life in Taiwan and his immigration to the United States of America.
From the Paper "Asian people were excluded from entering the United States, until the Immigration Act of 1965. This act allowed immigration from countries such as China, India, Korea, and the Philippines to grow. In addition to the immigration Act of 1965 another law in 1975 created a program of resettlement for refugees fleeing Cambodia and Vietnam. A year later, the program was extended to include Laotians. (People Is Plural)
Vietnamese immigration was slow until 1970 when it began building rapidly through the fall of Saigon in 1975. After that it increase with thousands of Vietnamese were admitted under refugee provisions created in an effort to save a half million South Vietnamese who fled Vietnam in tiny boats. During the highest point of Vietnamese immigration in the mid to late 70s, an average of 120,000 entered Vietnamese people came to the country each year. The Vietnamese American population is the most geographically concentrated among Asian groups. The largest waves of refugees were handled through Camp Pendleton located in Oceanside, California, and most of these Vietnamese immigrants settled in the Westminster area of nearby Orange County. (Parsing Asian America) "
Tags: united, states, usa, 1970, immigration, act, 1965, china, india, korea, philippines, taiwan, asia, social, political, voyage, immigrants
Abstract This paper promotes the idea of a free immigration policy in the United States. It discusses the contributions that immigrants, of all nationalities, have made to the the growth of the United States economically and socially:
From the paper:
"The recent level of immigration that the United States of America has been experiencing is clearly beneficial to the economy. Today, and throughout the history of the nation, immigrants play key roles in society, and without them, regions of the country with the largest immigrant growth rates would suffer, as would the country as a whole. The immigrants to the United States at this time are not simply the poor and uneducated of the third world; they come from all social and economic classes."
Abstract This paper discusses how immigration in the era of mass immigration, 1850 to about 1920, differed from other periods, and what changed in the experiences of immigrants. The paper examines the start of immigrant communities based on ethnicity and looks at how improvements in transportation enabled mass immigration.
From the Paper "The United States is overwhelmingly a country of immigrants in the sense that nearly all Americans or their ancestors came from elsewhere in the last few centuries. Only the Native Americans, less than one percent of the population, are descended from peoples who had lived in what is now the United States for thousands of years. Moreover with the important exception of African-Americans, most of the people who immigrated to the United States or to what would become the United States did so..."
Tags: united, states, immigration, immigrants, ethnic
Abstract Hiring immigrants and multicultural diversity issues have become increasingly more important in recent years, for the number of immigrants has kept increasing every year in Canada, which has increased the demand for skillful immigrant workers. This paper examines the benefits that can be accrued by hiring more immigrant workers. The paper asserts that hiring skillful immigrant workers can make a business more competitive in terms of its overall human resources, can help a business gain access to immigrant markets in Canada, and can facilitate the implementation and immigrant worker management of overseas assignments.
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of immigration, a subject of contention since European settlers stepped foot on the soil of North American shores. Currently, immigration is at the forefront of the American news, particularly in terms of the role of the illegal immigrant in society. However, many Americans are unclear as to where even legal immigrants "fit" in American society. The paper further discusses how even in today's society, the general public lacks clear understanding of what non-naturalized immigrants can or should do in terms of the military, whether at home or overseas. If immigration is not new to this country, neither are immigrants in the military.
Abstract The author of this paper examines the issue of illegal immigration to the United States from Mexico and the need for reform in existing immigration laws. The paper's author postulates that the arguments put forward by opponents of immigration reform are, for the most part invalid and based on racial stereotyping as opposed to reasoned argument. The author states that despite being "illegal", Mexican immigrants are an essential part of the US' work force and as such, deserve the same rights that are accorded to workers who are also citizens. Examples are given of state discrimination against illegal immigrants from Mexico as well as attempts by federal courts to give such immigrants a modicum of protection.
From the Paper "The Supreme Court began to challenge immigration laws in 1875 by ruling that individual states did not have the constitutional right to regulate immigration, as this was exclusively a federal issue. (Heer 37) From this time forward the Supreme Court and other federal entities have had the sole responsibility of enacting and enforcing immigration laws, many of which followed the traditional pattern of allowance only when the US had a need for labor. The first act was to level a head tax on immigrants, which would presumably answer the state's individual desires to bar paupers from entrance into the US. It is possible that many of the ensuing regulations and challenges to Mexican immigration have been as a result of the early sentiment that stresses that those in the direst economic need should not be able to enter the US."
