What does government now do, and what could and should government do, to reduce economic inequality? Discuss the impact of government on economic inequality and how it has changed over time. What are your top three suggestions for specific programs or policies which governments could adopt to change the level and trend of inequality? Why?

Which set of policies is more likely to cause a tradeoff between economic output and equality: policies of redistribution policies aimed at the ladder of opportunity? Explain how the production possibility frontier tradeoff between economic equality and output might look in each case.

Why is there reluctance on the part of some in the United States to redistribute income so that greater equality can be achieved?

If a country had perfect income equality what would the Lorenz curve look like?

Explain how a country may experience greater equality in the distribution of income, yet still experience high rates of poverty. Hint: Look at the Clear It Up 'How do governments measure poverty in low-income countries?' and compare to Table 15.5.

How does a society or a country make the decision about the tradeoff between equality and economic output? Hint: Think about the political system.

What is measured on the two axes of a Lorenz curve?

What is the difference between poverty and income inequality?

WHAT ARE SOME POLICIES THAT A GOVERNMENT CAN IMPLEMENT TO REDUCE INCOME INEQUALITY? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY   A. Increase spending in education.   B. Lower tax for the top quintile.   C. Stregnthen anti-discrimination laws based on race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, and disability status.   D. Increase access to affordable healthcare to all.   E. Encourage corporate stock ownership.

This chapter discusses the importance of economicmobility.a. What policies might the government pursue toincrease economic mobility within a generation?b. What policies might the government pursue toincrease economic mobility across generations?c. Do you think we should reduce spending oncurrent welfare programs to increase spending onprograms that enhance economic mobility? Whatare some of the advantages and disadvantages ofdoing so?