Agenda:

That economic inequality is a problem is not new. We, and others, have highlighted the pernicious impact that widening inequality is having in both developed countries and in developing countries for some time.

The fact the World Economic Forum acknowledges the problem is new. In truth, the scale of the issue is simply impossible to ignore.

We live in a world in which the 85 richest people own the wealth of half of the world's population. It is staggering that in the 21st century, half of the world's population (or 3.5 billion people) own no more than a tiny elite whose numbers could all fit comfortably on a double-decker bus.

Put simply, we cannot hope to win the fight against poverty without tackling inequality.

Polls carried out for Oxfam in the UK, Brazil, India, South Africa, Spain and US show most people in all six countries believe laws are skewed in favour of the rich. In the UK, two-thirds of people thought "the rich had too much influence over the direction the country is headed" and only one in 10 disagreed.

It is little wonder people feel this way with the UK currently one of the most unequal countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) club of rich nations.

Here in Scotland, in 2012 the 100 richest men and women increased their fortunes to £21 billion, up from a combined wealth of £18bn in 2011. Our richest households are now 273 times wealthier than our poorest households.

These economic inequalities have social implications, too. Life expectancy is inextricably linked to inequalities in income, wealth and power.

Some may question what the problem is with such concentrated wealth, as long as it trickles down. The problem is it doesn't.

Soaring incomes for those at the top are increasingly accompanied by stagnating wages for the majority and an increase in the number of part-time, low-paid and insecure jobs.

In Scotland, the number of people who work part-time but want full-time work has risen from 70,000 in 2008 to 120,000 in 2012. And, across the UK, five million people are now paid less than a living wage.

Indeed, more people are now facing in-work poverty than out-of-work poverty. This is accentuated by the declining progressivity of the tax and benefits system with those on low incomes now paying a larger proportion of their income in tax than the richest.

That's just wrong. Our tax system should address rather than exacerbate inequality.

An Oxfam-commissioned poll in late 2012 showed 76% of Scots believe the very rich should pay more in tax. At the same time an estimated of £100bn is lost due to tax avoidance and evasion every year.

It is clear that far from wealth trickling down, wealthy elites have used their wealth, income and power to rig the rules of the economic game, undermining democracy and embedding inequality.

Those gathering in Davos this week can help begin to change that. They can start by supporting progressive taxation, and pledge not to dodge their own taxes. They must also refrain from using their wealth to seek political favours that undermine the democratic will of their fellow citizens while encouraging others within the economic elite to follow suit.

Here in the UK, we should also demand our political leaders, at all levels, do more to tackle inequality.

Without a concerted effort, the cascade of privilege and of disadvantage will continue down the generations. We will soon live in a world where equality of opportunity is just a dream.

In too many countries economic growth already amounts to little more than a winner-takes-all windfall for the richest.

We used to talk about the haves and the have-nots. We need to start talking about the have-lots.

Unless we do - in Scotland and across the UK, as in Davos - we will fail to tackle poverty and inequality.