As Gary Feinman argued in a pathbreaking study, social inequality is not an inescapable condition. Rather, it’s a product of political decisions made all the way back to the founding. This research, funded by the European Union under its Global Dynamics of Inequality (GINI) project, made it possible to analyze 50,000 houses across 1,000 settlements, from Mesoamerica to North America, Europe and Asia, over a timespan of 10,000 years. Those unexpected findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on April 14.
The Gini coefficient was used in the study as the principal measurement tool to determine social inequality in all examined societies. This coefficient, which ranges from 0 to 1, where 0 signifies perfect equality and 1 indicates perfect inequality, offers a comparative lens for understanding wealth distribution. For example, the United States has a Gini coefficient of around 0.41, which is considered to have a high level of income inequality. In contrast, Norway’s Gini coefficient is about 0.27, indicating a more equitable distribution of wealth.
Feinman’s research makes clear the ways to level wealth are not only different, but much more effective. They vary immensely based on the hour of day and the location. “Such leveling mechanisms are highly variable across time and space,” he stated, underscoring the adaptability of these systems in response to societal needs.
That ancient societies had a range of different taxation systems not only used, but available to, them. These systems were designed to evenly redistribute wealth and prevent its accumulation among an elite few. In fifth-century Athens, the richest citizens were required to fund the construction of works or the staging of dramatic festivals. Their commitments made a tangible difference in the economic wellbeing of their communities.
The analysis included a very large geographic radius, providing valuable insights on the cultural differences in political and ideological governance and approaches to redistributing wealth. The researchers noted that while modern societies continue to grapple with issues of inequality, the historical context provides essential insights into potential solutions.
Feinman emphasized that while discussions on specific data points may arise, “Now, arguments over one data point or another will likely have little impact on the broad-based patterns we see.” The conclusions of the study have serious implications. As such, they argue that past patterns of inequality are rooted in political choices as opposed to being inextricably linked to static socio-economic contexts.
Currently the World Bank uses these Gini coefficients to paint a broad, global stroke index of today’s national social inequality. This study adds a valuable longitudinal, millennial- and global-scale perspective to that database.
