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Distribution of wealth Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Wealth Distribution and Inequality: Concepts and Analysis

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Wealth Distribution and Inequality: Concepts and Analysis Study Guide

Foundational Concepts of Wealth Distribution

An individual's wealth is calculated by adding their total assets to their total liabilities.

Answer: False

Explanation: An individual's wealth, or net worth, is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets, not by adding them. This represents the net financial standing at a specific point in time.

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Saving is defined as consumption minus income, directly impacting wealth accumulation.

Answer: False

Explanation: Saving is correctly defined as income minus consumption. Any portion of income not spent on consumption is saved, thereby contributing to an increase in wealth.

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Wealth inequality refers to the disparity in the distribution of income only.

Answer: False

Explanation: Wealth inequality specifically refers to the uneven distribution of assets and net worth among individuals and entities within a society, not solely income distribution.

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Which of the following best defines the 'distribution of wealth'?

Answer: The comparison of wealth held by various members or groups within a society.

Explanation: The distribution of wealth is defined as a comparison of the wealth held by various members or groups within a society, serving as a key indicator of economic inequality.

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What is the primary distinction between wealth distribution and income distribution?

Answer: Wealth distribution concerns asset ownership (assets minus liabilities), while income distribution concerns current earnings.

Explanation: The fundamental distinction lies in their focus: wealth distribution examines asset ownership (assets minus liabilities), whereas income distribution pertains to current earnings or monetary flow over a period.

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How is an individual's net worth calculated?

Answer: Total Assets - Total Liabilities

Explanation: An individual's net worth is calculated by subtracting their total liabilities (what they owe) from their total assets (what they own).

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What is the direct relationship between saving and changes in wealth?

Answer: Saving is income minus consumption, and any amount saved increases wealth.

Explanation: Saving, defined as income minus consumption, is the direct driver of changes in wealth. Any income not expended on consumption contributes to an increase in an individual's wealth.

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Measuring and Visualizing Wealth Inequality

Comparing the wealth of the 99th percentile to the 50th percentile is a method to quantify wealth concentration.

Answer: True

Explanation: Comparing the wealth of the 99th percentile to the median (50th percentile) is a common analytical method used to quantify the extent of wealth concentration at the top of the distribution relative to the middle.

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The Pareto Distribution suggests that wealth is evenly distributed across all segments of society.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Pareto Distribution, when applied to wealth, typically indicates that wealth is highly concentrated, with a small percentage of the population holding a disproportionately large share.

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Wealth over People (WOP) curves plot wealth concentration by showing the poorest households on the vertical axis.

Answer: False

Explanation: Wealth over People (WOP) curves sort households from richest to poorest on the horizontal axis. The vertical axis represents wealth relative to the richest percentile, illustrating wealth concentration.

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A 'perfect tyranny' society, in the context of WOP curves, represents a state of complete wealth equality.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the context of WOP curves, a 'perfect tyranny' society represents a theoretical extreme of complete wealth inequality, where the top percentile holds all wealth, leaving others with none.

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A Gini coefficient of 0 signifies maximum inequality in wealth distribution.

Answer: False

Explanation: A Gini coefficient of 0 signifies perfect equality, where all individuals possess the same amount of wealth. Maximum inequality is represented by a coefficient of 1 (or 100%).

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Brunei recorded the lowest Gini coefficient for wealth distribution in 2021.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to the Credit Suisse 'Global Wealth Report 2021', Brunei had the highest Gini coefficient (91.6%), indicating extreme inequality, while Slovakia had the lowest (50.3%), indicating the most equality.

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Slovakia had the most equal wealth distribution among countries analyzed by Credit Suisse in 2021.

Answer: True

Explanation: Slovakia recorded the lowest Gini coefficient for wealth distribution in 2021 at 50.3%, signifying the most equal distribution among the countries analyzed in the Credit Suisse report.

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Global wealth inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, showed a decreasing trend between the 2019 and 2021 Credit Suisse reports.

Answer: False

Explanation: The trend in wealth inequality between the 2019 and 2021 Credit Suisse reports indicated an increasing trend for many countries, as reflected in their Gini coefficients.

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The Gini coefficient for the United States in 2021 was reported as 85.0%.

Answer: True

Explanation: The table of country-specific wealth statistics indicates that the Gini coefficient for the United States in 2021 was 85.0%, reflecting a high level of wealth inequality.

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The table of country-specific wealth statistics includes data on mean wealth, median wealth, and the Gini coefficient.

Answer: True

Explanation: The provided table offers detailed data for numerous countries, encompassing metrics such as the number of adults, mean and median wealth per adult, wealth distribution percentages, and the Gini coefficient.

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A common metric for analyzing wealth concentration involves comparing the wealth of the 99th percentile to which other group?

Answer: The 50th percentile (median)

Explanation: A common method for analyzing wealth concentration involves comparing the wealth of the 99th percentile to the median (50th percentile), often expressed as a ratio (P99/P50) to quantify top-end concentration.

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The Pareto Distribution, when applied to wealth, typically suggests:

Answer: A small percentage of the population holds a disproportionately large share of the wealth.

Explanation: The Pareto Distribution, frequently applied to wealth data, indicates that wealth is highly concentrated, with a small segment of the population possessing a significantly larger proportion of total wealth.

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Wealth over People (WOP) curves are used to visually represent:

Answer: The distribution of wealth across the population.

Explanation: Wealth over People (WOP) curves serve as a graphical tool to visually represent the distribution of wealth across a population, illustrating patterns of concentration.

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Which of the following represents a theoretical extreme of wealth distribution shown by WOP curves?

Answer: A society where the top percentile holds all wealth, leaving others with none.

Explanation: One of the theoretical extremes depicted by WOP curves is a 'perfect tyranny' society, characterized by the top percentile holding all national wealth, leaving the remainder of the population with none.

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A common metric for analyzing wealth concentration involves comparing the wealth of the 99th percentile to which other group?

Answer: The 50th percentile (median)

Explanation: A common method for analyzing wealth concentration involves comparing the wealth of the 99th percentile to the median (50th percentile), often expressed as a ratio (P99/P50) to quantify top-end concentration.

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What does a Gini coefficient of 1 (or 100%) signify in terms of wealth distribution?

Answer: Maximum inequality, where one person possesses all the wealth.

Explanation: A Gini coefficient of 1 (or 100%) represents the theoretical maximum level of inequality, signifying a scenario where a single entity or individual holds all the wealth.

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In 2021, which country had the highest Gini coefficient for wealth distribution, indicating extreme inequality?

Answer: Brunei

Explanation: Brunei registered the highest Gini coefficient for wealth distribution in 2021, recorded at 91.6%, signifying a highly unequal distribution of wealth within the country.

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Which country had the lowest Gini coefficient for wealth distribution in 2021, suggesting the most equality?

Answer: Slovakia

Explanation: Slovakia reported the lowest Gini coefficient for wealth distribution in 2021 at 50.3%, indicating the most equal distribution among the countries analyzed in the Credit Suisse report.

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The trend in wealth inequality between Credit Suisse's 2019 and 2021 reports showed:

Answer: An increasing trend in wealth inequality for many countries.

Explanation: Comparison of the 2019 and 2021 Credit Suisse reports reveals an increasing trend in wealth inequality globally, as evidenced by rising Gini coefficients in numerous countries.

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Drivers of Wealth Inequality: Policy, History, and Social Factors

Before the 1960s, what were the main sources of data for studying wealth distribution?

Answer: Wealth tax and estate tax records.

Explanation: Prior to the 1960s, the primary sources for data on wealth distribution were wealth tax and estate tax records, supplemented by smaller surveys and other data collections.

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Recent decades have seen a research shift towards analyzing broad distributional characteristics rather than specific causal factors of wealth differences.

Answer: False

Explanation: Recent decades have seen a shift in research focus from analyzing broad distributional characteristics to examining the specific causal factors that contribute to individual differences in wealth holdings.

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Which factor is identified in the source as providing a 'substantial head start' in wealth accumulation in the US?

Answer: Inherited wealth.

Explanation: Inherited wealth is identified as a significant factor that can provide a 'substantial head start' in wealth accumulation, underscoring the role of family background and inherited assets.

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A 2012 report found that a majority of the Forbes 400 richest Americans grew up with significant privilege.

Answer: True

Explanation: A 2012 report indicated that over 60 percent of the individuals listed among the Forbes 400 richest Americans had grown up with significant privilege, suggesting inherited advantage is a common characteristic.

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Following the Great Recession, the share of wealth held by the top 1% in the US decreased significantly.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to decreasing, the share of wealth held by the top 1% in the US increased from 34.6% to 37.1% following the Great Recession, while median household wealth declined more substantially.

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In the US, higher educational attainment is correlated with lower household wealth.

Answer: False

Explanation: Data indicates a positive correlation in the US between higher educational attainment and increased median household wealth, suggesting education is a significant factor in wealth accumulation.

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Married couples in the US tend to have lower median wealth compared to single individuals.

Answer: False

Explanation: Married couples in the US generally exhibit significantly higher median wealth compared to single individuals, with their median wealth being nearly three times greater.

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Plutocracy contributes to wealth concentration by allowing the wealthy to influence government policies in their favor.

Answer: True

Explanation: Plutocracy facilitates wealth concentration when affluent individuals or groups exert disproportionate influence on governmental processes, potentially leading to policies that further benefit the wealthy.

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Forms of taxation, like wealth and inheritance taxes, act as counterbalances to wealth concentration.

Answer: True

Explanation: Various forms of taxation, including wealth taxes, inheritance taxes, and progressive income taxes, are considered counterbalances that aim to redistribute wealth and mitigate its excessive concentration.

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Warren Buffett believes the rich class is not engaged in class warfare.

Answer: False

Explanation: Warren Buffett famously stated that his 'class,' the rich class, is engaged in class warfare and is winning, expressing concern about this dynamic.

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The Roman Republic enacted laws to limit the amount of wealth or land any single family could possess.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historical records indicate that the Roman Republic implemented laws as early as the third century B.C. to restrict the amount of wealth or land that any single family could hold.

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Francis Bacon advised that state wealth should be concentrated in the hands of a few for optimal benefit.

Answer: False

Explanation: Francis Bacon advised against the concentration of state wealth, metaphorically stating that money, like fertilizer, is beneficial only when spread widely, not held by a few.

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Technological advancements and social liberalism have contributed to reducing extreme poverty in developed nations.

Answer: True

Explanation: The combination of technological advancements, social liberalism, and organized labor movements has contributed to diminishing extreme poverty in developed nations, although global wealth gaps persist.

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In 2014, the World Economic Forum identified widening income disparities as a minor global risk.

Answer: False

Explanation: The World Economic Forum's 2014 Outlook identified widening income disparities as the second most significant global risk, not a minor one.

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The caption 'Higher educational attainment in the US correlates with higher household wealth' suggests education has little impact on wealth.

Answer: False

Explanation: The caption suggests a positive relationship between higher educational attainment and increased household wealth in the US, indicating education's significant role in economic success, not little impact.

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Before the 1960s, what were the primary sources for wealth distribution data?

Answer: True

Explanation: Before the 1960s, the primary sources for data on wealth distribution were wealth tax and estate tax records, supplemented by smaller, often unrepresentative surveys.

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What is the relationship between educational attainment and household wealth in the US, based on 2021 data?

Answer: Higher educational attainment correlates with higher household wealth.

Explanation: Data from 2021 indicates a positive correlation in the US between higher levels of educational attainment and increased median household wealth, suggesting education is a significant factor in wealth accumulation.

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How does marital status affect median wealth in the US?

Answer: Married couples have significantly higher median wealth.

Explanation: Married couples in the US tend to possess substantially higher median wealth compared to single individuals, often nearly three times greater.

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What is wealth concentration, and what is its first prerequisite?

Answer: Wealth concentration is the increasing hold of wealth by fewer entities; its prerequisite is initial inequality.

Explanation: Wealth concentration refers to the process by which wealth becomes increasingly held by a smaller number of entities. Its primary prerequisite is an initial unequal distribution of wealth within the population.

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How can plutocracy contribute to wealth concentration?

Answer: By allowing the wealthy to influence policies that favor them.

Explanation: Plutocracy contributes to wealth concentration when the affluent exert disproportionate influence over governmental and legislative processes, potentially leading to policies that further benefit the wealthy and exacerbate disparities.

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What are considered counterbalances to the process of wealth concentration?

Answer: Progressive income taxation and wealth taxes.

Explanation: Various forms of taxation, such as wealth taxes, inheritance taxes, and progressive income taxation, are identified as counterbalances aimed at redistributing wealth and preventing its excessive concentration.

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Warren Buffett's statement about his 'class' and class warfare suggests:

Answer: He acknowledges the rich are actively involved in and winning a class conflict.

Explanation: Warren Buffett's statement implies that the wealthy class is actively participating in and prevailing in a class conflict, highlighting a concern about this dynamic.

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What did Francis Bacon advise regarding the distribution of wealth in a state?

Answer: Good policy requires wealth not to be concentrated in the hands of a few.

Explanation: Francis Bacon advised that effective policy dictates that state wealth should not be concentrated among a select few, likening money's utility to fertilizer, which is beneficial only when widely distributed.

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The rise of Communism was partly a response to:

Answer: The extreme inequality perceived in capitalist systems.

Explanation: The rise of Communism was partly fueled by perceptions of extreme inequality within capitalist systems, where significant disparities existed between the affluent and the impoverished.

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What factors have contributed to reducing extreme poverty in the developed world?

Answer: Technological advancements and social liberalism.

Explanation: Technological advancements, principles of social liberalism, and organized labor movements have collectively contributed to diminishing extreme poverty in developed nations.

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The Roman Republic enacted laws to limit the amount of wealth or land any single family could possess.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historical records indicate that the Roman Republic implemented laws as early as the third century B.C. to restrict the amount of wealth or land that any single family could hold.

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What economic mechanisms are proposed to explain the correlation between being rich and earning more?

Answer: Oligarchy, meritocracy, and plutocracy are proposed mechanisms.

Explanation: The correlation between being rich and earning more is explained through mechanisms including oligarchy (wealth providing access to high-paid employment), meritocracy (high incomes correlating with existing wealth), and plutocracy (wealthy influencing policies).

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What did PolitiFact and other sources report in 2011 about the wealth of the top 400 Americans?

Answer: Their wealth was more than the bottom 50% combined.

Explanation: In 2011, it was reported that the 400 wealthiest Americans collectively held more wealth than the bottom half of the entire American population combined, highlighting extreme wealth concentration.

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What did a 2012 report by the Institute for Policy Studies find about the background of the Forbes 400 richest Americans?

Answer: A majority grew up with significant privilege.

Explanation: The 2012 report indicated that over 60 percent of the individuals listed among the Forbes 400 richest Americans had grown up with significant privilege, suggesting inherited advantage is a common characteristic.

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What happened to the share of wealth held by the top 1% in the US after the Great Recession?

Answer: It increased from 34.6% to 37.1%.

Explanation: Following the Great Recession, the share of total wealth owned by the top 1% of the US population increased from 34.6% to 37.1%, while median household wealth declined more substantially.

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What is identified as a counterbalance to the process of wealth concentration?

Answer: Progressive income taxation and wealth taxes.

Explanation: Various forms of taxation, such as wealth taxes, inheritance taxes, and progressive income taxation, are identified as counterbalances aimed at redistributing wealth and preventing its excessive concentration.

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Warren Buffett's statement about his 'class' and class warfare suggests:

Answer: He acknowledges the rich are actively involved in and winning a class conflict.

Explanation: Warren Buffett's statement implies that the wealthy class is actively participating in and prevailing in a class conflict, highlighting a concern about this dynamic.

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Francis Bacon used a metaphor to advise against wealth concentration, comparing money to fertilizer that is beneficial when:

Answer: Spread widely across the population.

Explanation: Francis Bacon advised that effective policy dictates that state wealth should not be concentrated among a select few, likening money's utility to fertilizer, which is beneficial only when widely distributed.

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The rise of Communism was partly a response to:

Answer: The extreme inequality perceived in capitalist systems.

Explanation: The rise of Communism was partly fueled by perceptions of extreme inequality within capitalist systems, where significant disparities existed between the affluent and the impoverished.

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What shift in research focus regarding wealth distribution has occurred in recent decades?

Answer: From broad characteristics to specific causal factors of wealth differences.

Explanation: Recent research has shifted from analyzing broad distributional characteristics to examining the specific causal factors that contribute to individual differences in wealth holdings.

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What insight is provided by the image caption stating 'Higher educational attainment in the US correlates with higher household wealth'?

Answer: Higher education is linked to increased household wealth.

Explanation: The caption suggests a positive relationship in the US between the level of education achieved and the amount of household wealth accumulated, indicating education's role in economic success.

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Contemporary Wealth Dynamics and Perceptions

Dan Ariely and Michael Norton's study revealed that Americans accurately perceive the current level of wealth inequality.

Answer: False

Explanation: The study by Dan Ariely and Michael Norton found that Americans tend to significantly underestimate the current level of wealth inequality and prefer a more equitable distribution than exists.

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Between 2019 and 2022, the median net worth in the US grew faster than the average net worth.

Answer: False

Explanation: Between 2019 and 2022, the average net worth in the US grew at a faster rate than the median net worth, largely due to the disproportionate increase in wealth at the very top.

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What did Dan Ariely and Michael Norton's study reveal about Americans' perception of wealth inequality?

Answer: Americans tend to underestimate the current level of wealth inequality.

Explanation: The study by Ariely and Norton found that Americans generally underestimate the extent of current wealth inequality and prefer a more equitable distribution than what exists.

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In 2014, the World Economic Forum identified which issue as the second most significant global risk?

Answer: Widening income disparities.

Explanation: In its 2014 Outlook on the Global Agenda, the World Economic Forum designated widening income disparities as the second most significant global risk.

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In 2014, the World Economic Forum identified which issue as the second most significant global risk?

Answer: Widening income disparities.

Explanation: In its 2014 Outlook on the Global Agenda, the World Economic Forum designated widening income disparities as the second most significant global risk.

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