Views on inequality

1 In most western democracies, desire to eliminate or reduce economic

2 inequality is generally associated with the political left. The main practical

3 argument in favour of reduction is idea that economic inequality reduces

4 social cohesion and increases social unrest, thereby weakening society.

5 There is clear evidence that this is true and it is intuitively true, at least for small

6 face-to-face groups of people. Also, there is the argument that economic

7 inequality translates to political inequality, which further aggravates problem.

8 acceptance of economic inequality is generally associated with the political

9 right or at least that section of the right that is concerned with economics.

10 main practical argument in favour of the acceptance of economic inequality is 11 that, as long as the cause is mainly due to differences in behaviour, the inequality

12 serves as economic engine to push society towards economically healthy and

13 efficient behaviour, and is therefore beneficial.

Task 18 Complete the asterisked gaps in the chart below with the appropriate words.

NOUN	ADJECTIVE	VERB
	predictable	*
necessity		*
	*	value
survival		*
consumer	*
	unskilled	*
*		dominate
	*	labour

.

Task 19. Many uses of the articles are idiomatic, and should be learned as part of a phrase. Here are some of them:

1. against the grain – contrary to someone's feelings, principles.

His plan goes against the grain with her because she doesn't like cheating.

2. be behind the times – be old-fashioned, outdate.

Some of the managers here are behind the times; their methods are not modern.

3. be beside the point – be off the point.

What I said to him privately is beside the point.

4. beat around the bush; beat about the bush – avoid giving a clear or definite answer.

Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!

5. break the ice – overcome shyness in making the first step.

The meeting was dull until someone broke the ice with a joke, and we all laughed.

6. get out of hand – get out of control, beyond control.

If he gets out of hand again, call me the right away. The situation is getting out of hand.

7. in plain English – in simple, frank terms.

I didn't really like the presentation. In plain English, it was terrible.

8. make a living – earn money to provide for life.

He works hard. His family is large, and he has to make a living somehow.

Paul won a prize in a chess tournament. Great! Like father, like son!

9. off the cuff – without preparation.

Off the cuff, I can give you only a rough estimate.

10. rock the boat – make the situation unstable.

Peter always rocks the boat when we discuss the company's spending policy.

Task 20. Think of your own sentences with the idioms mentioned above.

Task 21. Choose the most suitable phrase underlined.

1. A philosopher/Philosopher is someone who studies and tries to explain the meaning of things such as life, knowledge, or beliefs.

2.An individual/ Individual can also have a higher or lower status than his/her parents.
3. In open stratification system/ an open stratification system, there are supposed to be few obstacles to social mobility.

4. She has been trapped in job/a job.