Inequality Quote by Angus Deaton
“Inequality is not the same thing as unfairness; and, to my mind, it is the latter that has incited so much political turmoil in the rich world today.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Great Escape, 2013
Inequality refers to measurable differences, while unfairness is a moral judgment about those differences.
In simple terms: Inequality is factual; unfairness is moral.
Address both data and justice in policy.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy design
- public debate
- education reform
- wealth taxation
- social research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policies balance equity and efficiency?
- What metrics capture both inequality and perceived unfairness?
Focusing solely on fairness can ignore practical constraints of resource allocation.