Poverty, Inequality, and Conflict

Abstract

Groping concern with poverty has ushered in the much more controversial issue of inequalities within the af fluent society. In America, relative deprivation is a more im portant aspect of "poverty" than poor physical conditions. Income alone is an inadequate indicator of level of living. This paper proposes six dimensions for the measurement of well- being : income, assets, basic services, social mobility and edu cation, political position, and status and satisfaction. Ques tions of "who does and should get what" within each of these dimensions are issues arousing acrimonious debate. Social indicators are suggested which would create greater awareness of the extent of inequalities and make discussions of inequali ties more useful. These indicators will not tell us what choices to make in inequality-reduction, but they can pre vent us from complacently ignoring the fact that choices are being made.