Inequality Makes People Cruel

Discuss.

Fellow blogger Alana (h/t) comes to that conclusion, with the aid of a Twitter survey (Twurvey?):

...that explains the people on the bottom end of the pyramid forced into cruel actions and cruel choices, and the people on the top end, so far from poverty that poor people and their problems no longer seem real to them. It’s easy to be cruel when you can’t see your victims. Or when you think their problems are inevitable and can’t be solved. Or when you think poor people make themselves poor or even aren’t quite human. Inequality creates the kind of distance that makes that happen.

Or when you're motivated by greed or entitlement.

What's missing here b/w these poles is the middle-class countries like ours possess; what is their role here?  I'd venture ignorance or worse, indifference.  To be blind to how our world works, or for failing to advocate for change, whether at a micro, personal level or at a collective macro level.

What do you think?  It's an interesting discussion in light of recent global survey findings and the increased importance of the federal (central) government right now:

A solid majority of people in the major Western democracies expect a rise in political extremism in their countries as a result of the economic crisis, according to a new poll.

Extremism is rarely peaceful.  This correlates with the Department of Homeland Security's recent findings that "white supremacist hate groups and other anti-government extremists have become the nation's top domestic terrorist threats."

After two+ decades of privatization, corporate gain, social safety net shredding, and inequality unseen since the 1920s, it's no wonder this is the state of our nation and world today.

Is there hope?  Unsurprisingly, but perhaps a bit desperately:

The one political figure that people consistently pin their hopes to is President Barack Obama. About half of all people surveyed expressed the most confidence in his ability to solve the crisis...

And, less desperately, but cyclically:

Standing up for states’ rights has not been easy this spring, even as many state lawmakers wince at the extended reach of the federal government. With the recession sparing few corners of the country, the $787 billion federal stimulus package has weakened the resolve of states’ rights activists in legislatures across the country...objections have proved muted as financially struggling states embrace federal help.

So there you have it.  Widespread inequality, resentment and violence surging, and an activist State stepping in to try and restore order and reintroduce some inequality into the system.  But until we get Wall Street under control, and expand our social safety net, we're not going to make much progress.

(Photo by quinn.anya)