[G]reater social equality can accompany, or parallel…
![“[G]reater social equality can accompany, or parallel, shifts in economic distribution. In our case, they run at cross-purposes; in other countries, notably in the European Union, greater economic equality has actually accompanied greater social equality. There is no necessary and inevitable…” quote by Michael S. Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/53d/michael-s-kimmel-58334_economic-equality_g-reater-social-equality-can-accompany-o_3119517.jpg)
““[G]reater social equality can accompany, or parallel, shifts in economic distribution. In our case, they run at cross-purposes; in other countries, notably in the European Union, greater economic equality has actually accompanied greater social equality. There is no necessary and inevitable relationship between them. To believe that greater social equality is the cause of your economic misery requires a significant amount of manipulation, perhaps the single greatest bait and switch that has ever been perpetuated against middle- and lower-middle-class white Americans. This has been the cultural mission of the ruling elites -- to deny their own existence (at least the robber barons and other plutocrats were up-front about their economic standing) and pretend that they are on the side of the very people they are disenfranchising, even at the very moment they are disenfranchising them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Social and economic equality are not inherently linked; they can move independently or together.
In simple terms: Equality types can differ.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about equality causes.
Themes
equality
economics
politics
media
class
manipulation
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
social
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- media analysis
- public discourse
- activism
- education
Key Concepts
sociology
critical theory
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you see evidence of this in current politics?
- How can we distinguish genuine equality from propaganda?
A Different Perspective
Equality may be used as a political tool to manipulate perceptions.