This is consistent with recent advances in poverty measurement (see Ravallion and Chen, 2009). Although the facts are disputed (Jomo, 2006), there is an extended literature on how low levels of inequality were conducive to growth in East Asia (see World Bank, 1993). The inference from this literature is that strong economic growth is difficult to sustain in the context of high inequalities. In addition, Amsden (2001) suggests that countries with high income inequalities have had much less success at promoting national industries because of the difficulties in mobilising public support behind “national champions”.