Because one point of view is that the difference between the poorest and the richest is less important than ensuring that the minimum standard of living of the

Because one point of view is that the difference between the poorest and the richest is less important than ensuring that the minimum standard of living of the poorest is livable/acceptable. In society A, let's say that the gap between the poor and the rich was high, but the poor had their basic needs being met. In society B, let's say that the gap between the poor and the rich is 0, but the standard of living of everyone is worse than the poorest in society A. In this case, most would agree that society A is better off despite having a non-zero Gini coefficient. Obviously we want a society where everyone is equal AND their standard of living is as high as it could possibly be, but wars have been fought over figuring out how best to organize society to achieve that.