Introduction

Abstract

Why all the fuss about economic inequality? Why does economic inequality matter? Is it just a political theme used to support (or win over) the have-nots? Or, at the very extreme, is it driven by socialists whose goal is to establish a utopia of a supposed ‘equal society’, eventually resulting in a pure communist state? Or is it, at the fundamental level, simply a (serious) threat to economic sustainability and social stability? Yes, inequality does matter. The high levels of poverty and inequality in the world and South Africa justify that these related challenges matter and require continuous analysis, debate, reflection, and discussion. Poverty and its close relation to inequality, the likely increase in conflict and civil war, and the search for social justice need more inquiry into the complexity of inequality’s relationship with other economic variables. In this book, which targets the general public, policymakers, and anyone interested in inequality, the following essays will reflect on different aspects of economic inequality in South Africa, specifically focusing on the period after 1994. The chapters focus on the following topics: how to measure inequality, wealth inequality, wage inequalities, land distribution, access to banking services, inequality in service delivery, socioeconomic inequalities in health, and inequality in education. The final chapters focus on the informal sector, the consideration of a universal basic income grant, and economic inclusivity as some remedies for inequality in South Africa.