What Is the Redistribution of Wealth?

The redistribution of wealth is the orderly transfer of assets from one group of entities to a broader range of entities, usually by utilizing some sort of mechanisms put in place by a government. Sometimes known as progressive redistribution, the idea is to allocate available resources in a manner that a wider range of people receive some degree of benefit from those assets. This is often managed by enacting legislation such as taxes or monetary policies that control the movement of commerce and finance within a given nation.

The concept of redistributing wealth is somewhat controversial. One approach holds that the accumulation of assets should be based on the efforts of the individual, with those who work harder receiving a greater share of the available wealth. A different point of view is that all individuals are entitled to an equitable standard of living and while efforts to earn what they can are encouraged, the redistribution of wealth by those who are more fortunate allows those who are not able to generate enough income to achieve that equitable standard to receive some type of assistance. The idea is that when poverty is kept to a minimum, the national economy is more stable and everyone ultimately benefits from that stronger economy.

While methods of managing redistributing wealth vary, there are three basic strategies that are often employed by national governments. The most common approach is through taxation. In the best case scenario, the wealthy are taxed at levels different from those with lesser annual incomes. The end result is that low and middle class households retain more of their earnings for the upkeep of their households, and the tax money received from the wealthy can be used to help fund programs that aid those less fortunate in stretching their limited means to manage such important tasks as funding higher education with the aid of government grants or scholarship programs.

Welfare programs are another common means of achieving a redistribution of wealth. Here, the focus is on allocating funds which provide households with funds that make it possible to enjoy basic amenities that are essential to a basic quality of life. In some cases, this type of program is focused mainly on retirees and citizens who are disabled, although many nations also include welfare programs that assist people working in low-paying jobs that generate under a certain amount of income each month.

A third tool that is often used in the process of redistribution of wealth is nationalization. This is a broad concept that may include strategies such as offering some type of government-funded healthcare to citizens who qualify for the program. As with the other methods, the goal is to ensure that everyone within a given country have access to benefits that are considered essential for a decent standard of living, even if they are not currently able to fund those benefits themselves.

Over the years, the advantages and liabilities of a redistribution of wealth have been hotly debated. At times, this has led to some reforms that helped to tighten restrictions on the process of redistribution, making it more difficult for unscrupulous individuals to take advantage of the system. With most nations continuing to refine how they employ this idea within their specific cultures and setting, the controversy over the redistribution of wealth is likely to continue for many years to come.