Overcoming Bias

Share this post

Inequality /=> Revolt

www.overcomingbias.com

Discover more from Overcoming Bias

This is a blog on why we believe and do what we do, why we pretend otherwise, how we might do better, and what our descendants might do, if they don't all die.
Over 11,000 subscribers
Continue reading
Sign in

Inequality /=> Revolt

Robin Hanson
Sep 21, 2012
Share this post

Inequality /=> Revolt

www.overcomingbias.com
21
Share

Famous historical revolutions were not consistently caused by high or rising income inequality:

[French income] inequality during the eighteenth century was large but decreased during the revolutionary period (1790-1815). … When industrialisation began about 1830, inequality increased until sometime in the 1860s. (more)

In 1904, on the eve of military defeat and the 1905 Revolution, Russian income inequality was middling by the standards of that era, and less severe than inequality has become today in such countries as China, the United States, and Russia itself. (more)

In 1774 the American colonies had average incomes exceeding those of the Mother Country, even when slave households are included in the aggregate. … American colonists had much more equal incomes than did households in England and Wales around 1774. Indeed, New England and the Middle Colonies appear to have been more egalitarian than anywhere else in the measureable world. Income inequality rose dramatically between 1774 and 1860, especially in the South. (more)

So why do most people so confidently believe that revolutions were caused by high or rising inequality? I’d guess its because it feels like a nice way to affirm your support for the standard forager value of more equality.

Added 24Sept: OK, I see that the French data isn’t so relevant to my point.

Share this post

Inequality /=> Revolt

www.overcomingbias.com
21
Share
21 Comments
Share this discussion

Inequality /=> Revolt

www.overcomingbias.com
Robin Hanson
May 15

The early largeness is against, but the later change is irrelevant.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

"OK, I see that the French data isn’t so relevant to my point."

Tails I win, Heads let's call it a draw? It's relevant evidence *against* your point, no?

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
19 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Robin Hanson
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing