the motivation to challenge the royaltyÊs firm grasp on political and economic power. Under such circumstances, it is no surprise why ChinaÊs supremacy began to falter in the following centuries as the inventive West began to impose its authority. The comparison of BritainÊs economic development to that of ChinaÊs fully reveals the dangers of income inequality in a country without proper institutions – it compels the country to dictate policies in favour of the elites without consideration of the welfare of the poor. Thus, to disregard income inequality as a Ânecessary evilÊ in the development process of countries currently trapped in low rates of growth and high rates of poverty would be both foolish and unconstructive. Whilst it is true that inequality is perhaps less of a hindrance than more immediate concerns such as high HIV rates and lack of access to proper education, it is still a crucial aspect of poverty in developing countries given its interactions with other factors such as political instability, extensive market failure and the establish of
dysfunctional institutions that neither alleviate poverty nor promote innovation.
Sceptics point to the fact that the United StatesÊ Gini Coefficient is roughly equal to that of Cote dÊIvoire, thus implying that inequality is evidently as significant in a countryÊs development as one would think. However, as Nancy Birdsall concludes, income inequality would be wholly constructive in a society where opportunities are equally accessible for everyone. This, in essence, summarizes the problem that many developing countries face today – income inequality restricts choices that the poor can make in order to improve their economic situation and quality of life in general, further aggravated by a severe lack of government support and disadvantageous market conditions. Whilst total income equality may remain unachievable for the foreseeable future, reducing the disparity between the rich and the poor may prove to be the ideal way of setting a solid foundation for development for those in need.
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