1、 美国贫富差距的现状及其原因 70年代以来美国的贫富状况 （ 1）对 20收入最高者和 20收入最低者的平均收入进行比较，两者的差距在 1974年是 7.5倍， 1992年扩大到了 10.2倍 。 （ 2） 1977 1992 ，最穷的 20的人的税后收入绝对下降了 12，而最富的 1的人的税后收入却增长了 136 。 （ 3） 美国住户、家庭与个人收入 中描述的美国家庭收入基尼系数的变化趋势为： 1970年为 0. 394 ， 1980年为 0.403， 1990年为0.428 （注：国际上通常用基尼系数测量贫富差距程度 ，基尼系数的变大表示贫富差距继续加大） （ 4）据美国最新的统计结果，
2、 1992年最富有的 1的家庭拥有美国全部财富的 42，而在 1989年为 39 ，三三制现象。 （ 5）收入分配不均的扩大带来了贫困化的发展 。 贫富差距扩大的原因 根本原因：资本主义榨取剩余劳动价值的本性。 在经济上，科学技术的发展、产业结构的转换、资本积累的加剧以及美国的经济形势和经济政策是影响收入分配状况的重要因素。 在美国，种族歧视、单亲家庭增多和非婚生子女人数的上升等社会问题也对贫富差距的扩大有重要影响。 Part （ Paras.3-9） : historical research Five historical solutions to the problem: S1： nex
3、t-life theory (Para.3) S2： utilitarianism (Para.4) S3： Malthusianism (Paras.5-6) S4： Social Darwinism (Paras.7-8) S5: Coolidge and Hoover (Para.9) S1： next-life theory (Para.3) The poor suffer in this world but are wonderfully rewarded in the next. 1) This idea is not only embodied in the Bible but
4、is also common in Buddhism 2) in the next: after they die; when they go to the next world, i.e. heaven or paradise S1： next-life theory (Para.3) Their poverty is a temporary misfortune: If they are poor and also meek, they eventually will inherit the earth. 1) meek: patient and mild; submissive In t
5、he Bible, the word “meek” is used in a positive sense, meaning, “patient and mild”. In this statement, the word is used in an ironical sense, meaning “submissive”. S1： next-life theory (Para.3) 2) The idea of this statement may come from Luke xvi 19-25,King James version: “There was a certain rich m
6、an, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day; “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,which was laid at his gate, full of sores, “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. “And it
7、came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahams bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; S1： next-life theory (Para.3) “And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “And he cried and said, Father Abr
8、aham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things. but now he is comforted, and thou a
9、re tormented”. S1： next-life theory (Para.3) 3） 他们的贫困只是一种暂时的不幸 ; 如果他们穷困但却温顺 ,他们最终将成为这个世界的主人。 This is, in some ways, an admirable solution. It allows the rich to enjoy their wealth while envying the poor their future fortune. 1) Why does the author think this is an admirable solution? 2) Does the aut
10、hor really think that this is an admirable solution? Why(not)? S1： next-life theory (Para.3) 1) Why does the author think this is an admirable solution? Because in this way, the rich will not feel guilty and can happily enjoy their present life while the poor will have something to look forward to t
11、heir future fortune, and will meekly accept their current misery. S1： next-life theory (Para.3) 2) Does the author really think that this is an admirable solution? No, he doesnt. He is being ironical here. He calls it “an admirable solution” because now the rich “get the poor off their conscience”.
