Global Inequality: Patterns and Explanations

by David Held (Editor), Ayse Kaya (Editor)

Overview

What is global inequality? How can it be measured? What are the major trends and patterns? What are the implications of global inequality for the world economy and multilateral governance? What role does and should inequality play in national and international policy-making?

In this comprehensive overview, the authors address these key questions. They examine the major issues that need to be confronted in conceptualizing, measuring and analysing contemporary patterns of global inequality. In addition, they explore the implications of these patterns for politics and public policy. In explaining the complex global patterns of social stratification, they highlight an intensive debate about whether and to what extent inequality matters. The book also addresses this debate, and seeks to set out the major alternative positions.

The book’s authors include many of the most distinguished figures in the field, including David Dollar, Gøsta Esping-Andersen, Nancy Fraser, James K. Galbraith, Ravi Kanbur, Branko Milanovic, Thomas W. Pogge, Bob Sutcliffe, Grahame F. Thompson, Anthony J. Venables, and Robert H. Wade.

This book will be of great interest to students in politics, sociology and international relations as well as to all those interested in this key topic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745638867
Publisher:	Polity Press
Publication date:	01/23/2007
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

David Held is Graham Wallas Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ayse Kaya is a Research Assistant at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors.

Editors' Preface.

Acknowledgements.

Abbreviations.

1 Introduction.

David Held and Ayse Kaya.

2 Globalization and Inequality.

Branko Milanovic.

3 The Unequalled and Unequal Twentieth Century.

Bob Sutcliffe.

4 Globalization, Poverty, and Inequality since 1980.

David Dollar.

5 Should We Worry About Income Inequality?.

Robert H. Wade.

6 Why Inequality Matters.

Thomas W. Pogge.

7 Global Inequality and Global Macro Economics.

James K. Galbraith.

8 Global Inequality, the ‘Great Divergence’ and Supra-National Regionalization.

Grahame F. Thompson.

9 Spatial Disparities and Economic Development.

Ravi Kanbur and Anthony J. Venables.

10 More Inequality and Fewer Opportunities?.

Structural Determinants and Human Agency in the Dynamics of Income Distribution.

Gosta Esping-Andersen.

11 Reframing Justice in a Globalizing World.

Nancy Fraser.

Index

Editorial Reviews

"This book offers a rich and diverse menu of perspectives on global inequality. There is no better place to start if you want to understand why so many intelligent people disagree so vehemently on the facts, their interpretation, and what to do about them."

Dani Rodrik, Harvard University

"Resentment of global inequality is emerging as one of the principal threats to globalization – but just how much inequality is there, how should it be defined, why has it happened and what can be done? This timely series of essays by the leading protagonists is the best survey of the arguments and evidence so far – the crucial source book on the global inequality debate."

Will Hutton, The Work Foundation

From the Publisher