Australia is an egalitarian Society, in which wealth is distributed largely according to how hard an individual works. Critically discuss this statement in relation to the evidence available on income and wealth distribution in Australia over the past 120 years and the theoretical explanations of inequality.

The purpose of this assignment is to test your understanding of the material presented in lectures, tutorials and tutorial readings in the course. This essay is worth 40 per cent of your assessment and is due on Sunday, Week 11 by Midnight. It is an expectation that students will consult and utilise at least eight scholarly sources in writing this particular assignment, which should be evident in the in-text referencing and reference list. In addressing any of the set questions, be sure to include a combination of appropriate theory, research data and critical insight in making your argument.

Write a 1500-word essay on one of the following topics:

1. Australia is an egalitarian Society, in which wealth is distributed largely according to how hard an individual works. Critically discuss this statement in relation to the evidence available on income and wealth distribution in Australia over the past 120 years and the theoretical explanations of inequality.