Sociologists tend to assume inequality matters, while economists often assume it does not, saying inequality generates dynamic incentives in competitive markets. Alternatively, other economists say inequality does matter; this is but mainly because it affects economic growth, which they claim to be the foundation of social progress. Meanwhile, sociologists disagree over whether inequality matters due do its violation of social justice principles, of some notional social contract, or whether it is actually undermining the foundations of a coherent and functional human society. This paper suggests the latter provide more coherent explanations.
2014 Why inequality matters: From economism to social integrity PDF