This presentation outlines global trends in inequality. Stiglitz argues that the despair and powerlessness resulting from inequality is leveraged by demagogues and the moderate right to further entrench inequality. The presentation argues that inequality has been a choice and not just driven by technology and globalization, but by policies and institutions.

This report distinguishes between an assessment of current well-being and an assessment of sustainability. Current well-being has to do with both economic resources, such as income, and with non-economic aspects of peoples’ life, and whether these levels of well-being can be sustained over time.