read the following information first:
The questions for Step 1 are going to ask you review the 3 benefits of wealth and then to estimate how wealth is distributed amongst the US population and to tell us your ideal distribution of wealth.
To tell us your estimate and ideal, you will need to think of how all the wealth that currently exists in the U.S. (i.e., 100% of the wealth) is divided up amongst the U.S. population (i.e., 100% of the population). You can think of the U.S. population in terms of quintiles (or, 20% segments). The total population (i.e., 100% of the population) is divided into five quintiles (i.e., five 20% segments). Each quintile (20% segment) has a certain percentage of the total wealth (of 100% of the wealth).
For example, if the population was only 100 people, each quintile (20%) of that population would have 20 people, and each quintile would have a certain amount of the total wealth that exists in that population.
Here is a visual to help you better understand:
100% population divided into 5 quintiles next to 100% wealth.
Keep in mind that there is only 100% wealth to be distributed amongst the five quintiles.
Also keep in mind that it is impossible for each quintile (each 20%) of the population to have more than 20% of the wealth.
A society where each quintile (20%) of the population had 20% of the wealth would be a completely egalitarian society (in other words, everyone has the same amount). In such a case, there would not be a "richest" 20% or "poorest" 20% because everyone would be equal.
We could represent this scenario with the following scenario:
100% population divided into 5 quintiles next 100% wealth. Each 20% of the population (each quintile) has 20% of wealth
Now that you know have read and watched the assigned content for this week, you have begun to learn what wealth and income are. You have also begun to think about about wealth distribution.
List the 3 benefits of wealth and briefly explain each benefit in your own words, referencing details from the assigned course material. If you need to refresh your memory on these, .
What is your estimate as to the current distribution of wealth in the U.S. To answer this, tell us what percentage of the total wealth you think is currently held by the richest 20%, the poorest 20% and each quintile (20% of the population) in between. Keep in mind that your estimates should add up to 100. Use the following template:
Estimate:
the wealthiest 20% of the U.S. population owns % of the all the wealth the second wealthiest 20% of the U.S. population owns % of the all the wealth
the third wealthiest 20% of the U.S. population owns % of the all the wealth the fourth 20% of the U.S. population owns % of the all the wealth
the poorest 20% of the U.S. population owns % of all the wealth You will now tell us what is your ideal distribution of wealth by considering the following: Imagine some supreme being appeared to you and said that the distribution of wealth is going to quickly change and you can have total control over how wealth is distributed amongst the population of the U.S. The catch, though, is that you have no control over where in the distribution you would fall; you have the same chance of ending up in one quintile, such as the wealthiest 20%, as in any other quintile, such as the poorest 20%. You will also have no control over your gender, your race/ethnicity, ability status, etcetera. All you have control over is how the wealth is distributed. How would you distribute the wealth in such a scenario? Remember that your ideal % for each quintile of the population should add up to 100. Use the following template to answer: Ideal: the wealthiest 20% of the U.S. population would own % of all the wealth
the second wealthiest 20% of the U.S. population would own % of all the wealth the third 20% of the U.S. population would own % of all the wealth
the fourth 20% of the U.S. population would own % of all the wealth the poorest 20% of the U.S. population would own % of all the wealth