GEOG110 Inequality and Development

Inequality and Development

Understanding inequality is crucial in development because it can cause or worsen poverty. Inequality involves outcome disparities and unequal opportunities.

Measuring Inequality

The Gini coefficient measures income differences, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality). Quickest growing countries are also some of the most unequal.

What is Inequality

Inequality includes differences in income, wealth, education, health, and opportunities. It exists within and between countries.

Citizenship significantly impacts global inequality, affecting international policies, trade, and education access.

Drivers of Inequality

Drivers include historical context (e.g., colonialism), structural discrimination, reinforcement of difference, skewed global structures, and the power of global elites.

Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is seen in labor force participation, land rights, pay gaps (globally 20%), education access and outcomes. There are also inequalities in healthcare. Intersecting inequalities exacerbate the disadvantages, especially for marginalized groups.

Addressing Inequalities

To address inequalities, it's important to understand the context, implement equity laws, programs for marginalized groups, strengthen worker’s rights, and consider alternative economic models.

Alternative Economic Models

Alternative economic models include social protection (welfare), cooperative business models, and social enterprises.

Social protection involves redistributing taxes to the poor, which reduces inequality. The Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) in Ethiopia provides cash or food transfers and public works programs.

Social protection can be targeted or universal, conditional or unconditional, and incorporates graduation programs to address underlying issues. The PSNP covers social assistance, insurance and labor market programs.