it is more important that everybody has a good quality of life, than everybody has the same quality of life
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Equity > equality
Some people need more or different resources provided to them, some less
It sounds as if you think good quality of life is more likely in unequal contexts. However, have you seen the evidence on this? Do you know what the quality of life is in countries that are unequal versus those that are more equal? Have you seen the evidence from something like The Spirit Level?
Here’s an index that represents quality of life mapped against inequality:
Which societies have better quality of life? The unequal ones?
Inequality is bad for quality.
Sure, but a lot of times they go hand and hand, at least to a point. As someone who’s lived half his life in the US and half in Europe, I can say that Europe is a lot more equal and a far larger proportion of people have a good quality of life here even though the US is richer overall.
The US isn’t that much “richer” overall, though.
The EU has a nominal GDP (PPP) of 30,678,594 Int$ in 2026, whereas the US has 32,383,920 Int$. Pretty sure that the median net discretionary income (PPP) is also higher in the EU, since many of us don’t experience the crazy medical bills and costs of driving cars thanks to decent public transit.
Even with only the UK rejoining, the EU would have a larger GDP. Consider also the Social Progress Index, in where most of Europe (aside from the Balkans) scores higher than the US.
Here I’ve explained a bit more on how I think wellbeing should be measured.
Yes but the EU has 100 million more people than the USA.
and? a lower income doesn’t matter much if everyone has a better life.
i’d rather earn $40k net and have a life without worries than earning $80k net and my life being able to be fucked over at every second
I agree, it’s basically the thesis of my original post at the top of the thread. There’s even some interesting studies showing that due to working hours and inequality, Europeans are actually richer on average by hourly work than Americans. But if you look at GDP PPP per capita, the EU is lower than the US, which was my point in pointing out there are 100m more people in Europe. In 2026, the GDP per capita (PPP) for the European Union was approximately $67,957, while for the United States, it was about $94,430
It’s partly due to the social systems in place in many European countries. Unemployment benefits, mandatory affordable health insurance, allowances for low incomes, affordable social housing etc ensure that almost no one falls of a cliff and people have a chance to reach the quality of life they want to achieve.
That is a massive bullshit statement, and is hopefully a joke.
It is better for everyone to have a good quality of life and super happy with a 9inch double dick than everyone having just a good quality of life.
you’re statement isn’t a comparison, it’s objectively better. it’s not a question.
No one is arguing that we should all be equally poor.
Is the 9 inch double dick mandatory? I’d rather just have some popcorn or something idk
you get the popcorn for free. everyone should have access to 9 inch dicks and popcorn.
or would you rather everyone be equally poor?
Agreed in principle, however in practice great wealth/income inequalities tend to compound.
Wealth and political spending bleeds into decision-making, leading to policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of the less so.
“Excess wealth” tend to disappear from ‘Main Street’ and the kind of normal circulation that directly generates +life_quality, into Wall Street circlejerks.
“Excess wealth” also tends to seek safe harbor in concrete assets. Every investor tilts eg. the supply and demand of housing a bit more into the demand side, which leads to rising costs for people wanting to buy a house to own, since the supply of good lots can’t increase as much.
Controversial. Some would argue better things are worse than good things
