Global inequality

Test 2, set 3

Global inequality definition

• SYSTEMATIC DIFFERENCES IN WEALTH, INCOME,
  AND WORKING/LIVING CONDITIONS ACROSS COUNTRIES

Absolute poverty

• CONDITIONS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM
  REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN HEALTH/LIFE

Relative poverty

• CONDITIONS RELATIVE TO THE OVERALL STANDARD OF LIVING IN A GIVEN SOCIETY

What is this graph saying about global income inequality?

• The top 1% has always held far more income than the bottom 50%

• The top 0.1% often holds a share similar to the entire bottom half

• The elite share stays high, the bottom share stays low

• Inequality remains persistent and extreme over time

What is the best predictor of life chances? What are different reasons kids may die at a very young age?

• Place of birth remains best predictor of life chances

• Children die from hunger due to drought/climate, war, economic crises, etc

In developed countries there is an excess of food. What are some of the consequences?

• Food is wasted

• Obesity, diabetes, strokes, etc

What are different ways of measuring inequality?

• GDP – GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, OR ALL GOODS
  AND SERVICES ON RECORD

• GNI – GROSS NATIONAL INCOME, INCLUDING
  INTERNATIONAL REVENUE.

• HDI – HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX MEASURES
  ACHIEVEMENTS IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, STABILITY,
  ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, AND STANDARDS OF LIVING.

• THE WORLD BANK IS A MAJOR TRACKER OF GLOBAL
  INEQUALITY.
  - HIGH, UPPER MIDDLE, LOWER MIDDLE, AND LOW
  INCOME, BASED ON GNI.

What does the global income map show?

• Countries are grouped by income level

• High‑income countries = early industrialization

• Low‑income countries = economies still largely agricultural

• Reveals global economic stratification and uneven development

What does the Gini Coefficient map show?

• It measures income inequality across countries

• Darker areas = higher inequality

• Lighter areas = lower inequality

• Reveals global patterns of uneven income distribution

What pattern can be seen between low income-high income?

• Low income: More infant deaths life expectancy is lower, lower GNI

• Vice versa for high income

What do trends show about the average global citizen?

• Illiteracy + infant mortality decreasing

• Life expectancy increasing

• Higher incomes worldwide

What do trends show about income levels in low‑income countries?

• Low‑income countries’ average incomes rising

• High‑income = early industrialization → better housing, food, water

• Since 2000: low‑income population fell, low/middle grew, upper/middle grew

What do trends show about lower-income countries?

• Lower‑income countries have higher fertility rates

• Early 21st century: low‑income countries grew 3× faster than high‑income

• ~150 million child labourers

• ~30% work in unsafe conditions, mostly in agriculture

• Global child labour rates are decreasing

Has global child labour been increasing or decreasing?

• Both age groups show a clear decline over time

• Rates for 5–14 and 15–17 have steadily decreased

• Overall trend = global reduction in child labour

What does the chart on average weekly working hours of children show?

• Children in some countries work very long hours, especially where poverty is high

• Countries with lower hours tend to have better education access

• Overall message: more schooling = stronger economic growth

What does THEORIES OF INEQUALITY say about neo‑liberalism?

• Free markets, no government interference

• Modernization theory: low‑income societies grow by adopting modern institutions, technology, and values

What does THEORIES OF INEQUALITY say about colonialism?

• Colonialism has a mixed legacy

• Encouraged industry, infrastructure, education, military interests, etc.

• Raises the question: Is inequality just economics?

What does THEORIES OF INEQUALITY say about dependency theories?

• Poverty in low‑income countries is the direct result of exploitation and colonialism

• Core countries (advanced/industrial) take profits

• Peripheral countries are dependent on core countries

What does THEORIES OF INEQUALITY say about development paths?

• Revolution, or…

• Dependent development = economic development within dependent relationships

What is World Systems Theory in THEORIES OF INEQUALITY?

• A theory placing class at the global level, dividing countries into core, semi‑periphery, and periphery, shaping global power and inequality.

What are global commodity chains, semi‑peripheral countries, and state‑centred capitalism in THEORIES OF INEQUALITY?

• Global commodity chains: Networks linking labour and production from raw materials → consumer

• Semi‑peripheral countries: Supply core countries but still profit

• State‑centred capitalism: State policies can stimulate economic growth

What is Global Capitalism Theory in THEORIES OF INEQUALITY?

• A view of capitalism as transnational, spanning global markets, production, finance, and governance

• Involves a transnational capitalist class with shared global economic interests, neo‑liberal outlook, and lifestyle

Has numbers of millionaires in Canada increased or decreased in 2023?

• Increased

What is the main contradiction in THE FUTURE?

• Inequality increases even while average income rises

• Inequality erodes meritocracy (rewards idleness + inherited wealth

What other questions does THE FUTURE highlight?

• More globalization?

• Can we predict the future? (futurology + failed starvation forecasts)

• More aid?

Name one country with a lot of humanitarian aid and one with not as much

• USA

• France

What does THE FUTURE say about limits of growth?

• Rapid growth doesn’t eliminate extreme poverty → disparity can remain or increase

• Future outcomes shaped by culture, corruption, politics, war, conflict, infrastructure