Why Sometimes Inequality Is Actually Good

When we look at the world around us, we will see a lot of inequality and think life is very unfair. There are people living in slums, while others enjoy the luxury of their premium condominium units. The working class work very hard and get their little pay, while businessmen reap millions from their corporations which is run by overworked people.

We then ask, what if all of us just seek the exact equal payment for all, exact daily provisions for all, and exact social status for all? There is no rich and poor but equality.

The world did just that when it embraced communism, an ideal produced by Karl Marx in his writings. This ideology seems plausible in paper, but sadly did not work. When people do the same work everyday, they become bored. When people watch the same TV shows about patriotism, they become bored. When people starts seeing things they don't really want, they begin to dream.

And guess what? Dreaming is forbidden in communism.

Perfection is not attainable, but inequality is also bad in some way. But if we scrutise it very carefully, social inequality is actually a paradox.

There are some social benefits when there are rich people and there are poor people. First, when there are rich people, they become an inspiration for the poor to dream big and follow in their footsteps. The rich can also produce art and entertainment that shows us the true meaning of life.

Second, rich people contribute to the development of science and technology by investing on it which later on shape the world around us. Third, the rich invest on military articles to help defend peace, not for their own sake but for the good of humanity (just forget about the politics).

Fourth, the rich donate to different causes and charities which change the lives of so many people. If some people do not have enough extra cash, they cannot do this.

In the end, it is not our social status that is important, but our common humanity. Our dignity does not depend on titles or positions in hierarchy. It is about us, our love, family, and friendship that matters.

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