Reading 1: De Zwart

• What is this about?

• The history of economic inequality worldwide, focusing on why inequality rises and falls over time. It compares two books: one by Branko Milanovic, who looks at inequality caused by economic growth and globalization, and another by Walter Scheidel, who argues that major reductions in inequality only happen through disasters like wars, revolutions, or pandemics.

• Why does it matter?

• Inequality affects how wealth and opportunities are shared, influencing social fairness, political stability, and economic growth. Understanding its causes helps create better policies to reduce inequality and its negative effects.

• How does it fit?

• Inequality shapes how countries interact in trade, development, and policy-making, and it plays a role in global tensions by affecting both rich and poor nations differently through globalization and economic systems.

Reading 2: Garret

• What is this about?

• This article discusses gender inequality in global health, where most workers are women, but men dominate leadership roles and earn higher pay. It shows how this imbalance affects decisions, funding, and health care quality.

• Why does it matter?

• Gender inequality in health limits progress on important issues like maternal health and access to care. Giving women more leadership opportunities can improve health care and benefit everyone.

• How does it fit?

• Fixing gender inequality in health supports global goals like better public health and equality. It helps countries create stronger health systems and reduce unfairness worldwide.

Reading 3: Brown and Rosier

• What is this about?

• This article explains how wealthy countries hoarded COVID-19 vaccines, blocked efforts to share patents, and let profit-driven pharmaceutical companies control access. This created a “vaccine apartheid,” leaving poorer nations without enough vaccines despite the global need to fight the pandemic together.

• Why does it matter?

• Unequal vaccine access weakened the fight against COVID-19, increased the risk of new virus variants, and exposed serious problems in global cooperation. Fixing these issues is important to handle future pandemics better and promote fairness in health care worldwide.

• How does it fit?

• The vaccine crisis shows how national interests often outweigh global needs and how powerful companies influence decisions. It highlights the need for stronger international systems to ensure fair responses to global challenges.

Slides:

• Question:

• Did economic inequality and the US pandemic interact?

• Answer:

• Yes, vulnerabilities in on area exacerbated elsewhere

• Implication:

• Outcomes reinforce unequal access to life chances

Collective Action Problem

• A situation where cooperation would make individuals better off Conflicting interests prevent it from happening

• Individual interests vs. group interests

How did 9/11 attacks lead to two decades of war?

• US attempts to place three faces of power (attempt to order leads to disorder) 

Types of Economic Inequality:

National Inequality

• Inequality within a country

Global Inequality

• Inequality between countries

Overall Inequality

• Inequality among global population

• Race and gender plays in inequality of income 

Economic trends exam question 

1. Increasing inequality within countries

2.Decreasing inequality between countries

3. Huge gains for middle class in middle income countries

4.Huge gains for global super rich

5. Minimal gains for the middle class in wealthy countries

Covid 19

• wealthy countries hoarded COVID-19 vaccines, blocked efforts to share patents, and let profit-driven pharmaceutical companies control access. 

• leaving poorer nations without enough vaccines despite the global need to fight the pandemic together.

This can be an exam question in the following ways:

1. Essay Prompt: "Discuss the five economic trends listed below and analyze their implications on global economic inequality. Be sure to support your arguments with examples and evidence."

   • This encourages students to explore each trend in depth and demonstrate their understanding of economic inequalities.

2. Multiple Choice Question: "Which of the following statements regarding economic trends is true?" a) Inequality is increasing both within and between countries. b) The middle class in wealthy countries has seen significant economic gains. c) Global super rich have experienced huge gains. d) All of the above.

   • This tests students' ability to identify and differentiate between trends.

3. Short Answer Question: "Explain how globalization affects economic inequality, referencing the trends provided."

   • This prompts students to connect a specific trend to a broader economic concept.

4. True/False Question: "True or False: There is increasing inequality between countries according to the trends identified in economic studies."

   • This format allows for quick assessment of students' comprehension.

5. Comparative Analysis: "Compare and contrast the impact of increasing inequality within countries to decreasing inequality between countries as outlined in the trends. What factors might contribute to these differences?"

   • This encourages critical thinking and a deeper analysis of the trends in context.