Inequality For All is a documentary movie that explores the nature of inequality in the USA. It masterfully combines Robert Reich’s lectures at UC Berkeley, parts of TV programs, digital graphs, and interviews with middle-class people, rich entrepreneurs, and politicians, creating a clear picture of the US socio-economic development. Inequality For All uncovers the truth about the American reality which is based on the virtuous and vicious cycles and shows the negative impact of inequality on society and democracy. Buy essay now about it.
Reich presents the virtuous cycle which, as he explains, is the main developmental pattern. During periods when wages rise, workers start to spend more, and their productivity increases because they have strong motivation to work better. As a result, the economy expands, and companies employ more people to satisfy the existing demand. Moreover, education becomes more popular, and employees are better qualified. The virtuous cycle is an example of the situation when workers, companies, and the whole economy prosper.
In contrast, the vicious cycle is the main cause of rising inequality. Firstly, although American workers work more, their salaries do not increase. Secondly, the income of big companies constantly grows, which should logically lead to increased employment. However, the number of employees in large companies is relatively small. Thirdly, a middle-class worker pays a 30 percent tax rate, while rich individuals often pay only a 15 percent tax rate and mostly invest their money abroad. Thus, the vicious cycle undermines America’s economy.
The government, politics, and big money are involved in both vicious and virtuous cycles. For example, when the economy enters the virtuous cycle, the government invests more money in different spheres, and tax revenues increase. In contrast, the vicious cycle presupposes cuts in programs, especially social ones, and a decrease in tax revenues. Nowadays many wealthy people employ lobbyists and sponsor politicians only to have their own representatives in the government. The political system promotes the interests of wealthy individuals rather than protects the rights of common people. Therefore, the government begins to depend more on big money and corporations’ interests, forgetting about democratic values.
Working and middle classes suffer most from increasing inequality. Reich presents tree ways how Americans tried to overcome financial difficulties before. Firstly, women started to work, which increased family income for some time, but did not completely solve the problem. Secondly, both men and women began to work extra hours, do additional shifts, and have two or three jobs at the same time. Thirdly, they applied for loans; however, this solution failed when the economic crisis arose. Due to this crisis, many people became workless and homeless. To address the issue of rising inequality, the government should propose a new program with strict economic regulations that will allow middle and working classes to make enough money to cover all living expenses. As all previous ways to improve people’s lives failed, a new approach should be developed.
Rising inequality changes democracy and its role in people’s lives. For example, trade unions help workers to express their voices. However, they have started to lose their influence. The scene in Inequality For All revealing how peaceful workers’ demonstrations were suppressed by the police clearly demonstrates that individuals have limited freedoms. For this reason, workers should form new trade unions and use them as a means of voicing their concerns and protecting rights.
I liked the movie because it is thought-provoking. Severe hardships, economic difficulties, and the rising level of unemployment negatively influence the lives of many Americans. Inequality For All presents the US reality from the perspective which is unpopular among the mass media, government officials, and businessmen. Reich shows the picture of America’s slow degradation and renunciation of democratic values. He also wonders whether the government still protects people or pursues its own interests.
Inequality For All reveals the truth about the causes and nature of inequality in the USA. By contrasting the vicious and virtuous cycles, Reich demonstrates how they impact the economy and workers. Moreover, he explains that the corporations’ desire to protect their interests leads to the point when money begins to control politics. At the same time, working and middle classes live paycheck to paycheck and have limited freedoms. As a result, the existing situation undermines democracy and threatens people’s liberties.
