Quiz: Social justice and social welfare

1. Which is the predominant method of income distribution in a capitalistic society

• A.by merits (e.g. relative contribution to the society)
• B.by power (e.g. those who have power takes more)
• C.by market mechanism (e.g. based on demand and supply)
• D.on the basis of need (e.g. larger family earns more)
• Eby the importance of the person to a society or to an organization.

2. What is the predominant method of determining the salary of a civil servant in government (e.g. in Hong Kong)?

• A.by merits (e.g. relative contribution to the society)
• B.by power (e.g. those who have power takes more)
• C.by market mechanism (e.g. based on demand and supply)
• D.on the basis of need (e.g. larger family earns more)
• E.by the importance of the person to a society or to an organization.

3. Which of the following is not an indication of the lack of equal opportunity?

• A.Joseph Yam of the HK Monetary Authority earns hundreds of times more than those working in McDonald.
• B.The unemployment rate of people with disability is higher than that of the general public.
• C.The average income of female is lower than the average income of male with the same education and years of experience.
• D.The average earning of new arrivals in Hong Kong is lower than that of the locally born with similar education background and skills.
• E.The average educational attainment of youth from the lower working class is lower than that of youth from the upper class with similar intelligence.

4. If Gini Coefficient of a society is equal to zero, what does that indicate?

• A.The society has no data for calculating Gini Coefficient
• B.There is no income disparity in the society
• C.Only one person possesses all income in the society
• D.No one has any income in the society
• E.None of the above

5. If Gini Coefficient of a society is equal to one, what does that indicate?

• A.The society has no data for calculating Gini Coefficient
• B.There is no income disparity in the society
• C.Only one person possesses all income in the society
• D.No one has any income in the society
• E.None of the above

6. Comparing the income disparity in the following three societies with respect to Gini Coefficient, which of the followings is true:

• A.Philippines < Hong Kong < Denmark
• B.Denmark < Hong Kong < Philippines
• C.Denmark < Philippines < Hong Kong
• D.Hong Kong < Denmark < Philippines
• EHong Kong < Philippines < Denmark

7. What is income redistribution?

• A. to reduce the wealth of the rich and to increase the wealth of the poor
• B.a secondary process of a society that seeks to modify the final outcome of the predominant income distribution mechanism in a society
• C.to redirect resources of a society to spend on areas that the society values
• D.to ensure everyone earn more or less the same
• E.to ensure everyone has a fair salary.

8. Which of the followings is NOT a way of reducing income disparity in a society?

• A.increase general sale tax or value-added tax
• B.increase progressiveness in income tax
• C.increase welfare spending
• D.increase tax relief or tax exemption for charity donations
• E.set up minimum wage rates

9. Which of the followings is possibly a negative   impact of income disparity in a society?

• A.Income disparity in a society encourages people to work harder in order to earn more
• B.Income disparity increases the efficiency of a society
• C.Income disparity increases the resources for investment activities
• D.Income disparity encourages people to try every means to gain higher income.
• E.Income disparity attracts more achievement-oriented people and entrepreneurs to come to the society.

11. Which of the followings is possibly a positive impact of income disparity in a society?

• A.Income disparity increases crime rates
• B.Income disparity reduces the equality of opportunity
• C.Income disparity intensifies inter-group conflicts in a society
• D.Income disparity increases social mobility
• E.Income disparity increases the percentage of people relying on public welfare

12. Which of the followings is not a contribution of social welfare to a society?

• A.it provides a safety net to those failed even if equal opportunity prevails.
• B.it increases the total wealth in the society.
• C.it reduces hardship caused by casualties in a competitive environment
• D.it reduces the motives to utilize illegitimate means to obtain higher income
• E.it reduces the possibilities of social unrest.