Are There Too Many Billionaires?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: How much does income inequality matter? What effect does it have on a society?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether it is ethical for a person to accumulate so much money when income inequality is on the rise. This issue is timely because there are currently more billionaires than ever before.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Both authors are political philosophers who focus on ethics and economics.) 

• Analyze Robeyns’s view. (Robeyns argues that even one billionaire is too many. She claims that billionaire wealth is a result of economic policies that unfairly benefit the wealthy, who in turn harm the environment through their investments. She believes that billionaire wealth should instead be used to improve the greater good.)

• Analyze Flanigan’s view. (Flanigan argues that billionaire wealth is a sign of economic prosperity and an economy that works to better everyone’s circumstances. She claims that billionaires are innovative and also tend toward philanthropy. She argues that income inequality is acceptable as long as we assist the people most in need of help.) 

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Are there too many billionaires? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.