A new poll finds that public opinion about the income gap is strikingly consistent whether in Europe, Asia, or the United States. The bottomline: the gap between rich and poor is too great and the wealthy should pay more taxes.
The growth of a super wealthy class is widening the inequality gap and adding to the political rhetoric not only in the United States but elsewhere, according to a FT/Harris poll conducted online between April 30 and May 12.
For the first time, pollsters surveyed Asian consumers. In China, 80 percent of respondents feel income inequality is too great.
Strong majorities in five European countries–ranging from 76 percent in Spain to 87 percent in German–consider inequality too great. In the U.S., which in past polls has shown more tolerance, some 78 percent believe the income gap is too wide, but interestingly, U.S. residents surveyed were more resistant to the idea of lowering taxes for the poor. Some 27 percent agreed with the proposition that taxes be kept at current levels.