Many people measure a nation's value through the equal distribution of wealth, and hence choose to completely ignore the issue of creation of wealth (and the reduction in incentive which results from it). They measure the value of a country on the equality of that distribution - not on the average standard of living, or even on the equality of opportunity of the country.

Consider

If everyone in Australia were put on a wage of $10 per week, there would be no inequality of income, but few of us would be better off. Likewise if all assets were destroyed there would be no inequality of wealth - but again few would be better off.

If everyone's income doubled, everyone would be better off but inequality would increase.

Distribution of wealth is simply not a useful measure of people's well-being, or the success of an economic or social system. An obsession merely with the distribution of wealth, will result in merely greater distribution poverty.

See

• Communism
• Marginal Tax Rate