The dynamics of inequality in James Martin's 21st century

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Singer, Alan E.^{; *}

Affiliations: James Holshouser Distinguished Professor of Ethics, Walker College of Business, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Alan E. Singer, James Holshouser Distinguished Professor of Ethics, Walker College of Business, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: James Martin has predicted growing impoverishment of the poorest 4th world alongside eco-affluence in other regions, including the emergence of trans-human life forms. The present paper places Martin's analysis in the context of other perspectives, frameworks and studies. Together, these suggest a solid consensus about the problems that humans will collectively face in the 21st century. It is then suggested that the predicted growth of poverty and inequality involves several self-reinforcing processes that are likely to accelerate that growth unless remedial action is taken.

Keywords: eco-affluence, poverty, accelerating-inequality

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-130779

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 105-119, 2013