#34: Why No Inheritance (PART 5)

【Unstable World】
The loss and destruction of so many lives as a result of wars deliberately started in Syria, Yemen and Sudan. The deceptive recruitment of so many disenfranchised youths in Afghanistan and Iraq by Taliban and ISIS. The recurring and heartless abduction of so many innocent girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram. The common thread among them all is the Unstable Society.
 
In the US and Japan, the resurgence of prewar-esque nationalism as seen in Trump and Abe administrations. In Europe, the far-right populism’s electoral gains. Surely, the Unstable Society is the common thread running through them as well.
 
One major cause of our unstable society is the worsening of Social Inequality. That is, the inequality in living standards, income and wealth between those who are fortunate and those who are less-fortunate. And what amplifies this problem all the more is the Inequality of Opportunity as seen in education and good jobs. That is, the very real existence of a born-into, very nearly insurmountable inequality of opportunity.
 
So then, why does the Inequality of Opportunity exist?
 
Some may have fallen into a less-fortunate situation through the fault of their own actions. However, the vast majority were just born into such difficulty. Many just happened to be born in a poor nation or war zone. Many just happened to be born to an economically-strained family. Many just happened to be raised under abusive parents. Many just happened to be born as a minority exposed to injustices such as discrimination, oppression and persecution. Others just happened to find themselves all alone as orphans. And yet others were born with incurable illnesses.
 
Simply put, they were just born into such hardships through no fault of their own. From the onset of their lives, they weren’t standing at the same starting line with those more fortunate. And sure enough, under such circumstances, the Inequality of Opportunity is exacerbated.
 
And throughout their childhood, the less-fortunate kids weren’t afforded a level playing field – a fair shot at success.
 
Wealthy families have the financial wherewithal to expend on their own child.  Certainly, no concerns for food, clothing and shelter. Life-long memories of family vacations, while introducing the young mind to our wider world. Private school education and prep courses to achieve even higher aspirations. And a vast selection of extra-curricular activities is among the long list of childhood advantages for a fortunate child.
 
Such assortment of advantageous opportunities enables a fortunate child to acquire a wide range of valuable skills that are considered socio-economically beneficial. And those skills tend to pave way toward desired jobs, sufficient income, comfortable living standards and, eventually, wealth.
 
On the contrary, similar opportunities are nowhere to be found for a less-fortunate child. The daily accumulation of those advantages for a fortunate child turns into an overwhelming disadvantage for a less-fortunate child. And those disadvantages tend to pave way toward Social Inequality – in jobs, income, living standards and wealth.
 
As if that’s not enough, a fortunate child – who enjoys such assortment of goodies from birth to adulthood – even wins an undeserved and unearned wealth simply because s/he so happens to be born to wealthy parents. On the flip side, a less-fortunate child – who has to fight for every little opportunity to get a bit ahead in this unfair contest called life – has nothing to inherit simply because s/he so happens to be born to an economically-strained family.
 
For those – and their children – who were just born into such hardships through no fault of their own, the opportunities for better education and jobs remain scarce. And inheritance delivers the final nail in the coffin that further exacerbates the Inequality of Opportunity, which in turn solidifies Social Inequality to an extent that it’s very nearly insurmountable.
 
Opportunity to receive an education and have a good job shouldn’t be limited on the basis of place of birth or parental background. In our world that we all share today, many of us are simply born into Inequality of Opportunity. And this injustice is sustained beyond generations, across time, and throughout the world by our Selfish Love called inheritance.

Read Next: Why No Inheritance (6)【What we can do】
Read Previous: Why No Inheritance (4)【Fortune Hunter】

Complete Series: Why No Inheritance (1)～(7)
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