The income equality gap between rich and poor

stealth colonialism

Abstract

While there is some global improvement in poverty reduction, better healthcare, and other measures, the income gap between rich and poor is increasing, with its negative relationship to educational opportunity, healthcare, longevity, happiness, and social cohesiveness. Besides socio-economic harm, personal and collective agency are diminished, and the norms of distributive justice are violated. After reviewing the situation, this paper explores economic and practical theological principles relevant to income inequality. Political-economic remedies are named. Where the “1%” invade, occupy, and control the political, economic, and cultural space of all, a kind of colonialism (“stealth colonialism” if you will) is present. Practical theologians should understand and highlight the scope of the problem and its consequences.