---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nurul E <ne_atl@onebox.com>
Date: Sun, Dec 17, 2017 at 7:21 PM
Subject: FYI - Dutch scientists put together a mathematical analysis of inequality in society ¦ PNAS
To:

Hi & FYI, if not already seen:

A group of Dutch scientists have put together a mathematical analysis of inequality. 

"Inequality is one of the main drivers of social tension. We show striking similarities between patterns of inequality between species abundances in nature and wealth in society.

We demonstrate that in the absence of equalizing forces, such large inequality will arise from chance alone.

While natural enemies have an equalizing effect in nature, inequality in societies can be suppressed by wealth-equalizing institutions. However, over the past millennium, such institutions have been weakened during periods of societal upscaling.

Our analysis suggests that due to the very same mathematical principle that rules natural communities (indeed, a 'law of nature' ) extreme wealth inequality is inevitable in a globalizing world unless effective wealth-equalizing institutions are installed on a global scale"

Abstract

http://m.pnas.org/content/114/50/13154.abstract

Full Text, from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

http://m.pnas.org/content/114/50/13154.full

Regards,
  - Nurul