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Inequality White PaperDoes inequality matter?1828800811530If your income was in the top 40%, you’ve likely seen your wealth go up in the past two decades. If you are in the bottom 60, it’s probably gone down. The top 10% has seen their median net worth increase 61% since 1989.-Wall Street Journal Jan 21st, 201500If your income was in the top 40%, you’ve likely seen your wealth go up in the past two decades. If you are in the bottom 60, it’s probably gone down. The top 10% has seen their median net worth increase 61% since 1989.-Wall Street Journal Jan 21st, 2015There is inequality. We could argue about how much there is, and whether or not it is increasing at an all-time rate, or by a little, or staying about the same, but let’s not. That would essentially be an argument about mathematics and statistics. There is broad agreement that there is a lot of inequality in the United States in 2015. What people don’t agree on is why we have the inequality, and whether or not it is harmful for society that there is so much inequality. So let’s focus on the big picture:Essential Questions- Does inequality matter? If it does, what structures and factors have contributed to inequality? What are possible solutions? Task:You will be writing a White Paper taking a position on the above essential question(s). A white paper is a type of research paper used by government agencies, think tanks and other policy institutes, and businesses to help readers understand an issue and make a case for a particular policy or argument. They are essentially research papers with a persuasive element. In order to write an effective white paper, you must provide an overview of the topic and arguments on both sides, then support your proposal or position with evidence and arguments. A good white paper is thoroughly researched, well written and organized, contains visuals in the form of charts and graphs that support the writer’s claims, and cites its sources throughout the writing as well as at the conclusion with a works cited. Yours will do the same! White Paper Outline:Section One: Introduction to Inequality (1 ? to 2 pages)Give an overview of the issue of inequality in the United States. Issues that must be addressed in this section:What is inequality? Current levels of inequality in the US? Differences between income inequality and wealth inequality. The arguments for why inequality is something we should be concerned about as a society.The arguments for why inequality is not something we need to be concerned about. 377190013335000Section Two: Minimum Wage (1 ? to 2 pages) Give an overview of the minimum wage in the United States. Issues that must be addressed in this section:Why do countries have a minimum wage? What is the current minimum wage rate? Arguments for raising the minimum wage as a way to address inequalityArguments against raising the minimum wage as a way to address inequalitySection Three: Taxes (1 ? to 2 pages) Explain how taxes could be used to address inequality in the US. Issues that must be addressed in this section:What are some of the main types of taxes individuals pay in the US? (Note: focus on those provided in the reading packet)What are progressive and regressive taxes? Arguments for raising certain types of taxes as a way to address inequality. Which taxes would be raised, and to what levels? Arguments against raising taxes to address inequality. Section Four: Your Position (2 ? to 3 Pages)Now that you have given the important background on the topic and arguments from both sides, take a position, with a thesis, and provide evidence to support your position. Your thesis is a response to the Essential questions from above: Does inequality matter? If it does, what structures and factors have contributed to inequality? What are possible solutions?Possible structure for the section: Argue that yes inequality does matter, explain why it does, and provide what you believe to be the best solutions to the problem. Or, Argue that inequality does not matter, explain why it does not, and explain why some of the solutions proposed are either unnecessary or will either make matters worse or won’t work. Other, general requirements:ResearchYou must cite (and use!) a minimum of 15 sources, including a mix of sources I provide and at least 5 of your own sources. These sources must be credible. MLA formatParenthetical, in-text citation throughout the paper. Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1 inch margins on all sides. Sub headings for each section. Works Cited at the conclusion of the paper. Charts and GraphsInclusion of a minimum of 3 graphs, charts, or other imagesCite where they came from, and include a reference to them in your writing. Research NotesYou must keep records of your research notes, using the form provided (handwritten or in digital format). These notes will be turned in along with your completed paper at the end of the project. Due Dates:Section 1: Rough Draft with research notes due Friday, March 13Section 2 and Section3: Rough Draft with research notes due Friday, March 20Final Draft with all research notes due Monday, March 23th Essential Skills and Knowledge you will be assessed on:Economics EKS 1: Evidence: I can determine central ideas of primary and secondary sources and cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of those sources. I can format a paper using proper MLA formatting.Economics EKS 4: Inequality- I can identify the main causes of inequality in the US and the current policy debate surrounding attempts to address inequality, including the minimum wage and tax policy. 262890049657000Inequality White Paper4321Mastery:EKS 4: InequalityPaper provides a detailed, thoughtful, and appropriate analysis of the issues of inequality. All aspects of the white paper required are complete. Student has clearly mastered the economic concepts necessary to complete the analysis. Presentation provides a mostly detailed, thoughtful, and appropriate analysis of the issues of inequality. Most aspects of the white paper required are complete. Student shows mastery of the economic concepts necessary to complete the analysis.Presentation provides an analysis of the issues of inequality, but lacks details and depth of analysis. Only some aspects of the white paper requirements may be complete. Student shows only a basic mastery of the economic concepts necessary to complete the analysis.Presentation does not provide an appropriate analysis of the issues of inequality. Few aspects of the analysis required may be complete. Student does not show a basic mastery of the economic concepts necessary to complete the analysis.EKS 1: Evidence I can determine central ideas of primary and secondary sources and cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of those sources. The student understands the relevant facts and concepts, included credible and relevant sources to support their work, and presented them accurately. Information was presented clearly, effectively, and authentically, and addressed contradictory evidence or alternative perspectives. The student understands the relevant facts and concepts, included some credible and relevant sources to support their work, and presented them accurately. Information was mostly presented clearly, effectively, and authentically, and student may have addressed contradictory evidence or alternative perspectives. The student understands some of the facts and concepts at a very basic level, included some or few credible and relevant sources to support their work, and mostly presented them accurately. Information was not always presented clearly, effectively, and authentically, and student did not address contradictory evidence or alternative perspective effectively or at all. The student understands few of the facts and concepts, included few credible and relevant sources to support their work, and mostly presented them inaccurately. Information was not presented clearly, effectively, and authentically, and student did not address contradictory evidence or alternative perspective effectively. ................
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