The Rich-Poor GapThe Rich-Poor Gap

By: Katie Granzier and Abby By: Katie Granzier and Abby ShoretteShorette

Ancient Rome’s GapAncient Rome’s Gap

There was definitely There was definitely a gap between the a gap between the poor and the rich in poor and the rich in Ancient Rome. Most Ancient Rome. Most of the population of the population were farmers and were farmers and laborers, but the laborers, but the wealthy had the wealthy had the most power.most power.

Two Social ClassesTwo Social Classes Rome was split into two Rome was split into two

social classes- the Patricians social classes- the Patricians were the wealthy people were the wealthy people (made up most of the senate (made up most of the senate and controlled public and controlled public funding) and the Plebians funding) and the Plebians were the poor farmers or were the poor farmers or ordinary people who took up ordinary people who took up most of the population. most of the population.

The Plebians were angry at The Plebians were angry at being treated as second being treated as second class citizens and not having class citizens and not having a say in the government.a say in the government.

Gaining PowerGaining Power Eventually the Plebians Eventually the Plebians

got their role in the got their role in the government. They government. They gained the power to gained the power to veto senate. It showed veto senate. It showed them that they weren’t them that they weren’t really over-powered by really over-powered by the patricians.the patricians.

They weren’t allowed to They weren’t allowed to know what the laws know what the laws were in the senate, so were in the senate, so they would be arrested they would be arrested for breaking laws that for breaking laws that they didn’t even know they didn’t even know existed. existed.

The Fall of the EmpireThe Fall of the Empire

Since the Plebians were away at war, no Since the Plebians were away at war, no one could tend to the farms. So when they one could tend to the farms. So when they returned, they all wanted a job in the city, returned, they all wanted a job in the city, but there weren’t enough jobs for but there weren’t enough jobs for everyone. So they began to rely on the everyone. So they began to rely on the government to support them. government to support them.

This all led to the down fall of the empire- This all led to the down fall of the empire- with the fall of the peasant land holders, with the fall of the peasant land holders, the aristocracy became more powerful the aristocracy became more powerful again.again.

USA’s GapUSA’s Gap Out of all of the nations Out of all of the nations

in the world, the US has in the world, the US has the biggest rich-poor the biggest rich-poor gap. gap.

Over 30% of income Over 30% of income goes to the richest 10%, goes to the richest 10%, and only 1.8% goes to and only 1.8% goes to the poorer peoplethe poorer people

““The average after-tax The average after-tax income of the top 1 income of the top 1 percent of Americans percent of Americans has risen an astonishing has risen an astonishing 111.3 percent, from 111.3 percent, from $298,900 to $631,700 $298,900 to $631,700 per year,” –Paul per year,” –Paul CamposCampos

Is this a bad thing?Is this a bad thing?

““Inequality is inevitable. It is a good Inequality is inevitable. It is a good thing. People need incentives. People thing. People need incentives. People need competition. People need need competition. People need markets. Some people will always be markets. Some people will always be poor. Others deserve to be rich. But at poor. Others deserve to be rich. But at the moment it looks like the rules of the moment it looks like the rules of the game are being fixed in America in the game are being fixed in America in favor of the wealthy. The gap between favor of the wealthy. The gap between rich and poor will only get wider. That rich and poor will only get wider. That is very dangerous.” –Paul Harrisis very dangerous.” –Paul Harris

The WealthyThe Wealthy ““The wealthiest one The wealthiest one

percent of households percent of households now control a third of now control a third of the national wealth. the national wealth. The wealthiest 10 The wealthiest 10 percent control two-percent control two-thirds of it. This is a thirds of it. This is a society that is splitting society that is splitting down the middle and it down the middle and it has taken place against has taken place against a backdrop of a backdrop of economic growth.” –economic growth.” –Paul HarrisPaul Harris

The PoorThe Poor Americans are 70% Americans are 70%

wealthier than they wealthier than they were in 1979, but were in 1979, but unfortunately, none of unfortunately, none of the money is going the money is going towards poor people. towards poor people. The after-tax family The after-tax family income is about the income is about the same as it was in 1979, same as it was in 1979, $13,500$13,500

As the gap between the As the gap between the rich and the poor rich and the poor widens each year, it widens each year, it gets harder and harder gets harder and harder for people to jump over for people to jump over the gap and make a the gap and make a better life for better life for themselves and their themselves and their familyfamily

Is the U.S. following in Rome’s Is the U.S. following in Rome’s footsteps?footsteps?

We believe that in some ways, We believe that in some ways, America is following in Rome’s America is following in Rome’s footsteps. footsteps.

There is a gap in our society and our There is a gap in our society and our actions are setting us up for the actions are setting us up for the same downfall that Rome faced. same downfall that Rome faced.

Reasons this is leading to Reasons this is leading to failurefailure

The gap between rich and poor people is The gap between rich and poor people is becoming more distinct. becoming more distinct.

Most of the government’s power lies in the Most of the government’s power lies in the hands of the wealthier percentage of the hands of the wealthier percentage of the country. country.

The poor people’s chance of gaining more The poor people’s chance of gaining more money are becoming slimmer because of money are becoming slimmer because of taxes, living costs, and increase of prices taxes, living costs, and increase of prices on products. on products.

The government is having to bail out a lot The government is having to bail out a lot of banks, which is taking one step toward of banks, which is taking one step toward having a controlled economy. having a controlled economy.

Sources (Information)Sources (Information) http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/09/int12.htm http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0502-30.htm http://www.worldwatch.org/node/82 "Rome." Ancient Civilizations Reference Library. Ed. Judson "Rome." Ancient Civilizations Reference Library. Ed. Judson

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