A dislike of unfairness is hardwired into us. So when we read that 26 billionaires own as much as the poorest half of humanity, it triggers anger in many.
In 2018, combined global income (GDP) was US$86 trillion. The wealth of these 26 billionaires (US$ 1.4 trillion) is 1.6% of this annually recurring sum.
If all of the wealth of these billionaires was shared out evenly across the entire global population (7.7 billion people) each of us would get a one-off payment of around US$180. If it was given only to the poorest half, the figure would double to US$360. If 10% of this wealth was given to the 10% poorest each would get a one-off payment of US$180.
What impact would this have?
Then there is the question of how such inequality-busting acts might affect current organisational systems. What would these impacts look like? Would there be any unintended consequences?
Would it be worth it?
What do you think?
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JOYPATTINSON says
The question is asked in a manner which suggests WE have such a decision in our hands! Without billionaires, who the majority believe have it all stached away somewhere, who is going to build luxury hotels and cruise liners and create big businesses which in turn provide work for millions? Those who make their money work for them are usually doing it to help those worse off anyway and why should big earners not reap their just rewards? If everybody wanted to get a good education and work for a living, rich people would not exist and we would all be more equal. Its only those who don’t wish to earn a good living who are jealous of those who made something of themselves. Money does not brîng happiness and those who have too much worry themselves into early graves! Milionaire pop stars are beng found dead from overdoses under the age of 60.