Series: Learning about cutting-edge science and human history to prevent social division<

Episode 1: Huge Inequality in Society and Its Harmful Effects

　At first with reality, let's take the example of income inequality in the United States in 2010, whose country is generally considered wealthy worldwide. If we plot this data on the horizontal axis representing income from lowest to highest (left to right) and the vertical axis representing income ranking (bottom to top), we get a smooth curve (a log-normal distribution following scientific laws). The curve is formed by the cumulative effect of various past events, both good and bad, and if we focus on the existence of extremely high-income and extremely low-income segments that deviate somewhat from this curve (indicating human factors beyond mere chance),

"This clearly means that the gap between rich and poor has become extremely pronounced in recent years." (Quoted from book [1-1], page 137).

There is likely a reason for the curve shown above. It can be attributed to the principle that the rich become richer (this is nothing more than the law of connections in networks, discussed later: preferential attachment). This is because:

"Super-large corporations and ultra-high-income earners grow by siphoning wealth from those around them. As the result, they gain even greater power to siphon, unlike the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises and ordinary people. (omitted) Conversely, when they face economic hardship, their options become limited, and they suffer even more—that's the way of the world." (Quoted from book [1-1], page 123).

Therefore, this monopolization of wealth by a small number of billionaires has been ongoing for a long time and is becoming even more serious, as can be seen below:

"The top 1% of the wealthiest people own 45% of the world's wealth. In contrast, approximately 3.6 billion people, or about 44% of the world's population, live on less than $6.85 (approximately 960 yen) a day. This figure has remained unchanged since 1990." (Quoted from book [1-2], pages 6-7).

　Income inequality gives rise to regional disparities, educational disparities, health disparities, and information disparities. These disparities are thought to be causing divisions between rich and poor nations, between urban and rural areas, between residences and jobs, between ethnic groups, and between ideologies. Moreover, food, including staple grains (rice, wheat, soybeans, corn, etc.), has become a commodity, and giant corporations dominate the market. The future where corporations distribute genetically modified crops and seafood contaminated with microplastics for profit is no longer a fantasy.

"The decline in food self-sufficiency began noticeably in the 1970s. It was around this time that the so-called grain majors, Western grain trading companies, emerged. (omitted) These grain majors built global networks to connect supply and demand, prioritizing profit. (omitted) Their influence is significant, effectively controlling even grain prices. Profits that should rightfully be returned to farmers are now being handed over to giant corporations." (Quoted from book [1-2], pages 14-15).

　Trading and sharing food and other goods worldwide is a good thing, and in Japan's current situation, it is indispensable. However, the problem seems to be that profit takes precedence. On the other hand, there seems to be enough food to feed the world's population. However, especially in developing countries, traditional self-sufficient agriculture is being lost due to monoculture agriculture, and although they need to import food for their daily needs, they are too poor to buy it. It is also unreasonable to treat agriculture (and fishing, etc.), which deals with nature that humans cannot control, exactly the same as efficiency-driven industrial production. Furthermore, we should learn that selection and concentration is a logic for emergencies, such as saving lives with limited time and manpower during a major disaster, and it is dangerous to apply it on a daily basis (because it leads to a loss of diversity of alternative options).

"Monoculture refers to the intensive cultivation of only one type of crop. Its history began when European powers established colonies in Africa and Asia, mass-producing crops highly valued in Europe on large plantations. (omitted) The drawback of monoculture, which relies on specific crops, is that crop failures due to unfavorable weather conditions can have a major impact. Fluctuations in international commodity prices also affect a country's economy." (Quoted from book [1-2], pages 38-39).

Furthermore, conflicts over water sources (rivers, etc.) are constant around the world, such as between Israel and Palestine. It seems that the fundamental problem lies in the monopolization by a very small number of people and the resulting heavy dependence on them. Throughout human history, the East, including the cradles of the four great civilizations, as well as the subsequent Tang and Song dynasties of China and the Indian dynasties, was considered economically and culturally richer than the West. So, when did this reversal of wealth monopolization occur?

"From the perspective of medieval Europe, the East was a glittering and prosperous world. A symbol of Eastern wealth was the spices, highly valued in Europe where meat consumption was widespread. Spices brought from the East by Islamic merchants were traded at high prices. (omitted) However, European ambitions did not stop at acquiring valuable goods. Europeans, who held Christianity as absolute, viewed the indigenous people who believed in other religions as barbaric and inferior, and sought to dominate them by force. (omitted) European powers sought to monopolize wealth through plunder and slaughter, and at their peak, they colonized most of the world." (Quoted from book [1-2], pages 62-63).

　Although colonization has ended, its scars remain, leaving behind numerous serious problems. For example, conflicts involving children continue in Africa and elsewhere.

"According to a UN report, 22,495 children will be severely affected by conflict in 2024. This figure includes not only casualties but also 4,573 abducted children and 7,402 children conscripted or forced into service. (omitted) In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the seven European powers unilaterally divided and ruled almost all of Africa. After World War II, these countries gained independence, but the borders arbitrarily drawn by the great powers ignored the distribution of ethnic and tribal groups. As the result, multiple ethnic groups were incorporated into one country, making ethnic conflicts more likely due to religious conflicts, resource disputes, and other factors." (Quoted from book [1-2], pages 70-71).

　While centuries of plunder and domination have left numerous problems, it seems the root cause seems to lie in the insatiable pursuit of desires and the ideologies and social systems that justify them from an economic perspective, capitalism has its shortcomings. In Episode 2, we will examine the desires inherent in capitalism: the pursuit of growth, including its historical background and its impact on climate change and other factors.

[1-1] M.Matsushita, "『Understanding Statistical Distributions Reveals the World: From Height and Weight to Inequality』 Chuokoron-Shinsha(2019/10/25), ISBN-13: ‎978-4121025647

[1-2] Info-visual Research Laboratory, 『Understanding Global Inequality and Resource Crises Through Illustrations: A Guide for 14-Year-Olds』 Ohta Publishing(2025/11/27), ISBN-13: ‎978-4778340957

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