consumerism

In 2006 the United Nations concluded the largest ever study of wealth distribution by announcing the world’s richest 1% own 40% of all wealth.

The report found the richest 10% of adults accounted for 85% of the world total global assets. Half the world’s adult population owned barely 1% of global wealth. (Guardian, 6 December 2006)

There has always been inequality in our societies and for many reasons, some morally arguable but others unquestionably a shameful indictment of humanity. During the time of kings and emperors and throughout the centuries since the rise of usury, more politely termed as “banking” today, great wealth has underpinned great power and so shaped the policy of nations.

But in the modern age of progressive enlightenment, which we claim as the bedrock of our “altruistic” political, economic and social systems, how can it remain acceptable that millions of people, including helpless children, starve to death as millions more watch their suffering on television whilst excusing themselves every reason to reverse their own decline into obesity?
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