Introduction to Social Welfare

List of questions to be prepared for lecture on

Social Justice and Social Welfare

1. There are many different possible ways of distributing income in a society. What are they?
2. What is the difference between Equal Outcome and Equal Opportunity?
3. What is Gini Coefficient?
4. What is the Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong, and how is it compared to other countries, such as Denmark, Philippines, and India?
5. What are the reasons for the income disparity in Hong Kong? Why do some people earn more than the others in Hong Kong? What is the difference between the hourly wage of Mr. Joseph Yam (Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority), a university professor (Full Professor), a fresh university graduate working in the government and an average worker at McDonald?
6. What are the positive and negative impacts of income disparity in a society?
7. What are the different ways of reducing income disparity in a society?
8. Is it necessary to have a social welfare system in a "truly" communist society, i.e. income is more or less the same (or income is distributed on the basis of needs instead of ability to earn or market mechanism)?
9. What is the relationship between equal opportunity and the social welfare system in a society?
10. What is income re-distribution as contrast to income distribution? What are the possible means of income re-distribution?

1. John Rawls' Theory of Social Justice is useful and is classic. The original is not easily "digestible". Other writers also wrote about his work.
2. There are many books in the HKU library written about income distribution or re-distribution. Books on social justice, equality, etc. will also be very useful. Some economists also wrote on the issue of equality and sometimes relating "equality" with "efficiency".
3. You can also find plenty of resources in the web.