Disparity in Distribution of Wealth

Two great pieces of American literature from the past century stand in stark contrast to each other on one important note: vision. While F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby" makes extensive use the symbol of eyes in its narrative, as well as the interpersonal relations of its characters and how they look at each other, Ralph Ellison’s "Invisible Man" makes the lack of sight and recurrent blindness and invisibility a central and instructive theme. These works are each products of their time, and indeed products of class and race relations, however they speak to deeper, more fundamental forces in American culture. In using such accessible and salient themes in opposing ways, these two authors intentionally step back from their fictional narratives to give eloquent voice to the problems inherent in American ambitions and desires. A comparative analysis of the differing ways in which "The Great Gatsby" and "Invisible Man" explore the elemental sense of sight reveals that, unknowingly, but quite harmoniously, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ralph Ellison join hands across the decades to show us just how America lost—and perhaps continually loses—not only its sight, but also its vision.

ABSTRACT

My dissertation addresses the need for an alternative system to capitalism, our mainstream system of economics, to support the necessities of a world facing countless ecological systems collapses, global climate change, and social inequity exacerbated by wealth disparity.  Alternative economics is defined here as current economic or socioeconomic practices and theories that may redress the flaws in the current dominant global economic system, which is mainstream capitalism.
The approach to this research is theoretical; that is, I analyze the current literature in the relevant areas of economics and related literature in the social sciences, philosophy, political economics, and environmental studies.  I then attempt to generate new knowledge through the analysis, critique, extension, and integration of existing theories and by drawing on existing empirical research. This research is also transdisciplinary, an approach that transcends conventional disciplinary regimes and boundaries.  The aim of this study is to ascertain the best alternatives to our current system of capitalism by examining the arguments for and against alternative economic or socioeconomic systems. 
The scope may embrace the complex and transdisciplinary, but it attempts to focus as narrowly as possible on the most promising ideas today concerning the imminent need for changing economics in the face of our global socio-environmental crises as being considered of high importance. The definitive goal of this research is to examine the most recent literature on these alternatives, and, based on this research, to identify which alternatives most suitably address the needs of our ecological systems, the needs of society, and the issue of global climate change. 

Keywords: alternative economics, heterodox economics, sustainability, compassionate economics, wealth disparity, ecosocialism economics, steady-state economics, climate change, transdisciplinary.

Throughout the millennia the Persian Gulf region has experienced extensive migration with diverse ethnicities, cultures, and religions. Notably, major migratory movements between Arabs and Iranians across the waterway have dominated the history of the area. Integration and accommodation of new inhabitants into preexisting communities can prove challenging for multinational states, particularly with many of the member states from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). With the exception of Oman, the states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are temporally new countries to the international system and have had challenges in accommodating multinational societies. In the case of the UAE the state sponsored Emiratization program is one of the many tools implemented by the country in an attempt to create a unified ethnic, cultural, and national identity rather than address the multiethnic status that had already existed and was established in the area. Discrimination and further societal segregation of groups not deemed a part of the dominant national identity and state even more so convoluted the difficulties in potentially resolving the issue. As a result of state-promoted nationalistic movements the subjects of state wealth, distribution of resources, citizenship, and nationality are becoming themes of increasing importance in the Emirates especially when considering the future of the country. With the economic progression of the state and the imminent World Expo hosted by the emirate of Dubai in 2020, integration of multiethnic groups to a cohesive and balanced national identity without the erosion or exclusion of other groups that have historically inhabited the region seems unrealistic forecasting. Consequently, understanding the facets comprising the situation provides insight to the future of state wealth and its relationship with migrant communities as well as nationalism is vital. Sovereign Wealth Funds, the Emiratization program, as well as the many communities within the UAE will be covered to address the topic.

This study examines the disparities in wealth inequality across districts in Punjab, Pakistan. The paper documents Gini coefficients of wealth inequality using disaggregate household data to assess disparities at the district level as well as disaggregated by urban and rural areas for each district. Furthermore, the paper deploys spatial statistical tools to explore the spatial disparities in wealth inequality in Punjab. This study finds the existence of spatial clustering in wealth inequality in districts at aggregate, urban, and rural area levels. The study emphasizes the need to allocate resources for eradication of disparities among regions and districts. Furthermore, policies and decision-making aimed at reducing regional disparities and in enhancing equity are needed. Given the spatial clustering in economic depravity, the remedial policies must be spatially aware and sensitive to spatial interdependencies discovered in this paper