Geoff Mulgan: Unequal Philanthropy

Geoff Mulgan Money Quote saying some extra wealthy folks have decided that they would rather not die before giving away their fortune. Geoff Mulgan said:
 

 

“It’s an irony that growing inequality could mean more money for philanthropy. In the US, quite a few of the ultra-rich have taken to heart the 19th century industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s comment that it’s a disgrace to die wealthy” — Geoff Mulgan

In this quote, social innovator Geoff Mulgan is acknowledging an ironic consequence of rising inequality. While growing wealth gaps are problematic, he suggests they may paradoxically lead to more philanthropic giving if the very wealthy take to heart Andrew Carnegie’s view that accumulating vast fortunes one does not distribute in life brings dishonor.

Mulgan implies rising inequality could generate increased charitable donations from billionaires seeking to justify their fortunes or leave positive legacies. Overall, the quote conveys that while inequality itself is troubling, it may perversely motivate more funding for social causes from those at the top who internalize a duty to spread opportunity through donations akin to Carnegie’s model of using wealth for public good.

Thomas Carlyle: Fortunes Inequality

Thomas Carlyle Money Quote saying that someone hungry for a job who can’t find one is true inequality. Thomas Carlyle said:
 

 

“A man willing to work and unable to find work is perhaps the saddest sight that fortunes inequality exhibits under this sun” — Thomas Carlyle

This quote suggests that Thomas Carlyle felt unemployment was a tragic consequence of economic inequality. He saw an able-bodied man willing to work but unable to find a job as one of the saddest things that could result from unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity in society.

Carlyle appears to be expressing sympathy for those struggling in vain to earn a living through no fault of their own due to lack of available work. The quote conveys that involuntary joblessness was a major social ill that highlighted imbalances in the system according to Carlyle’s view.

Birthday: December 4, 1795 – Death: February 5, 1881

Winnie Byanyima: Obscene Wealth, So Few

Winnie Byanyima Money Quote saying in an Oxfam report that just eight men have more wealth than those in poverty representing half the worlds population. Winnie Byanyima said:
 

 

“It is obscene for so much wealth to be in the hands of so few people when 1 in 10 people live on less than $2 a day, Inequality is trapping hundreds of millions in poverty; it is fracturing our societies and undermining democracy” — Winnie Byanyima

This quote seems to be criticizing the high level of economic inequality in the world where a small minority hold a disproportionate amount of total wealth.

It points out that it is “obscene” or unacceptable that so much wealth is concentrated in the hands of so few people, when at the same time 1 in 10 people live on less than $2 a day in poverty.

The quote argues that this level of inequality is “trapping hundreds of millions in poverty”, implying that unequal distribution of resources contributes to the entrenchment of poverty.

It further claims that inequality is “fracturing our societies and undermining democracy”. This suggests that large wealth gaps can divide societies and weaken political systems where wealth can be used to influence policies and elections.

Overall, the speaker is expressing the view that the current global level of economic inequality, where a small percentage hold most of the wealth while many live in extreme poverty, is morally problematic and has negative social and political consequences for societies around the world.

Hillary Clinton: Inequality Supreme Court

Hillary Clinton Money Quote saying Supreme Court in Citizen’s United decision gives more power and influence to those with riches via Super PACs. Hillary Clinton said:
 

 

“Inequality between working Americans and those at the top is starker than ever, the Supreme Court has given the wealthiest Americans even greater power to affect what happens in our democracy” — Hillary Clinton

In this quote, Hillary Clinton seems to be commenting on growing economic inequality in the United States as well as the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on the political system. She notes that the gap between average working Americans and those with high incomes (“at the top”) is very large.

Clinton also implies this inequality has been exacerbated by Supreme Court decisions that have empowered wealthy donors to spend unlimited sums on elections through Super PACs and dark money groups. Her statement suggests these court rulings have effectively increased the political power of “the wealthiest Americans” relative to ordinary citizens.

Clinton appears to believe this undermines democratic principles of one person, one vote by amplifying the voices and influence of affluent donors over other groups in the electorate.

Sharan Burrow: Economic Inequality Design

Sharan Burrow Money Quotation saying we build businesses on an unequal foundation out of selfishness. Sharan Burrow said:
 

 

“Our current economic model is inequality by design” — Sharan Burrow

In this quote, Sharan Burrow is criticizing how the prevailing economic system seems to be deliberately structured in a way that builds in inequality. By stating it is “inequality by design”, Burrow implies the model is not just producing unequal outcomes by happenstance, but rather inequality is intentionally incorporated and even incentivized within the fundamental architecture and rules that govern the economy.

She appears to be arguing the system is not merely imperfect or unbalanced but is purposefully built to concentrate wealth and resources within fewer hands over time. Burrow’s comment therefore portrays the status quo economic framework as inherently biased towards growing disparities in areas like wages, wealth, and living standards between different segments of society.

Winnie Byanyima: Inequality is Dangerous

Winnie Byanyima Money Quotation saying wealth inequality is bad for both governments and growth of business leaving needs of voiceless and interests of ordinary people unmet. Winnie Byanyima said:
 

 

“The message is that rising inequality is dangerous. It’s bad for growth and it’s bad for governance. We see a concentration of wealth capturing power and leaving ordinary people voiceless and their interests uncared for” — Winnie Byanyima

In this quote, Winnie Byanyima is warning about the dangers of rising economic inequality in societies. She argues that high inequality is bad for economic growth, as it concentrates wealth in fewer hands and leaves less purchasing power for the broader population. She also says it undermines good governance, as those with great wealth can use their resources to exert disproportionate political influence and “capture power.”

This leaves ordinary citizens feeling voiceless, as their interests are no longer adequately represented in decision-making. Byanyima’s view is that inequality, if left unchecked, threatens democratic systems by concentrating economic and political power in the hands of a few elites, rather than empowering the general public.

Winnie Byanyima: Staggering Inequality

Oxfam executive director Winnie Byanyima Money Quotation saying Wealth inequality continues to grow at an increasing pace, even though it is at unfathomable levels already. Winnie Byanyima said:
 

 

“The scale of global inequality is quite simply staggering and despite the issues shooting up the global agenda, the gap between the richest and the rest is widening fast” — Winnie Byanyima

In this quote, Winnie Byanyima is expressing alarm at the extreme levels of inequality that exist globally between the wealthy elite and the rest of the world’s population. She notes that the gap between the richest people and everyone else continues to grow very quickly, which she sees as a serious problem.

Byanyima’s view is that global inequality has reached staggering and disproportionate levels, with a small minority controlling a vast share of the world’s resources while billions struggle in poverty. She seems to argue that this massive and widening wealth gap should be higher on the international agenda in order to address one of the most pressing economic and social issues worldwide.

Angus Deaton: Inequality Serious Threat

Angus Deaton Money Quotation saying wealth inequality has a serious downside of threatening the well-being of everyone. Angus Deaton said:
 

 

“I think inequality has gone past the point where it’s helping us all get rich, and it’s really becoming a serious threat” — Angus Deaton

In this quote, Angus Deaton is expressing concern about rising economic inequality. He suggests that inequality has increased to a level where it is no longer contributing to overall societal prosperity, as some degree of inequality can through incentivizing innovation and growth. Instead, Deaton views extreme inequality as now becoming a “serious threat”.

He seems to believe that when wealth concentrates too much at the top, it can hold back broader economic opportunities and participation. Deaton appears to argue that current inequality has passed a point of optimal imbalance and started undermining shared growth, potentially through reduced social cohesion, political capture by elites, and lack of aggregate demand from middle/lower income groups.

The quote reflects Deaton’s view that inequality poses risks when taken to its furthest extremes in modern economies.