particular public issue: Inequality

This week during lecture we began looking at one particular public issue: Inequality. Based on the ideas presented in the course readings and the points made during lecture, here are two questions for you to write about:

1. Why does social and economic inequality exist in capitalist societies and how can it be resolved, according to Marx? Evaluate Marx's theory; do you think that these ideas explain the roots of present-day inequality? Does Marx provide a plausible solution to remedy inequality? Justify your answer.

2. In "The 1 percent's Problem" and "The Pitchforks are Coming" various arguments are presented which situate socioeconomic inequality as a social problem. Focus on 1-2 of the arguments from the readings that you personally find most compelling (for example, "the fairness problem"). Briefly outline these arguments and evaluate them. Are these valid reasons for why inequality matters? Why or why not?

Need one essay based on each topic.

(please read the reading first)

Each written responses must be between 500-600 words