Inequality is very high on the social and political agenda. Not only in the Netherlands, but in large parts of the world. On the one hand, inequality encourages people to go the extra mile to reach higher on the social ladder, but too much inequality can also be disruptive and can reduce economic growth and social cohesion. The post-war trend of declining income and wealth inequality seems to have reversed in recent decades: economic inequalities are increasing again in many countries. Inequalities lead to inclusion and exclusion and it is important to know their causes.
Connecting character
Equality is a core value of modern society. However, numerous inequalities exist in everyday life. These not only stem from socio-economic differences, but can also be the result of unconscious and conscious categorisation based on gender, skin colour, sexual preference, ethnicity, religion, language, mental or physical disabilities, age, nationality and so on. This issue raises empirical, normative as well as design questions for a range of disciplines, such as sociology, economics, history, and law: Is inequality undesirable in itself, or because inequality affects other values? What social and economic inequalities exist in the Netherlands and what are the trends in them? How can we explain the existence of inequalities historically? Are systems conceivable that produce more equality and maintain or increase our level of prosperity, or is there an inevitable tension between equality and other goals we pursue, such as economic growth? What effects do inequality-reducing policies and interventions have? How can legislators help promote access and inclusion for all in society?
