IQ Inequality - Boris Johnson blunders...

Many of you may have seen in the news recently that Boris Johnson has expressed his arguably elitest views on IQ in regards to wealth, education and job opportunities.

The flamboyant mayor of London has suggested that people with lower incomes have lower IQs and that inequality is essential to foster a "spirit of envy". He also hailed greed as a "valuable spur to economic activity".

In essence, Johnson has sparked off a heated debate of the relationship between poverty and IQ. Whilst some believe that a low IQ results in worse qualifications, less job opportunities and ultimately a lower income, others argue that the relationship could work in the opposite way too.

However, forming a viewpoint on this issue heavily depends on whether IQ is a result of biological factors and genes, or whether it is subject to change according to environmental and social factors. Moreover, the Intelligence Quotient has to be a valid test for this debate to even stand on its own two feet.

Johnson's speech has sparked a wave of  protest from people across Britain. Many individuals, writing into Metro newspaper over the past week have clearly stated that high IQ does not guaruntee a well paid job. With unemployment at an all time high, people will high and low IQs alike are struggling to find jobs.

Thankfully, other politicians have been quick to condemn Boris Johnson's remarks. Nick Clegg rightfully branded the comments as a "dispiriting message to people trying to get on in life" as it suggested that the government should give up on the 16% of the population with an IQ of below 85. However, by hypocritically increasing the university tuition fees in 2012, it would appear we have to take anything Clegg says with a pinch of salt.

George Osbourne has also become the first Tory to distance himself from Johnson's comments. Whilst he stated that economic equality is virtually impossible, he stressed the importance of equality of opportunity for all. Though there is still a long way to go, there seems to be beginnings of a journey to equal opportunity for people from all backgrounds, as authorities are gradually recognising the need for an increased effort in recruiting prospective university students from a variety of backgrounds.

The danger of a viewpoint such as Boris Johnson's is that it can demoralise a large majority of people in society -whether it be people with low IQs or people with low income. Self-fulfilling prophecy can act in such a way that those branded as 'less-intelligent' will therefore go on to achieve less because they believe they can't achieve any better.

It is imperative that as a society, not only does everyone recieve the same opportunities as each-other, regardless or income, race, gender, age or intelligence, but we actively encourage everyone to do the best they can do with the talents that they have.