Inequality in the Developing World

Inequality is a major development challenge that affects economic growth, redistribution, and human rights. This book assesses the measurement and analysis of global inequality in five large developing countries and discusses the factors shaping their different inequality dynamics. It also examines substantive tax and social benefit policies implemented to mitigate these dynamics and draws lessons from these contexts for the global analysis of inequality and social mobility.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Inequality has emerged as a significant development challenge, with profound implications for economic growth, redistribution, and power dynamics. It manifests in power asymmetries that can jeopardize human rights, spark conflicts, and perpetuate social exclusion and chronic poverty. This issue has sparked intense public and academic debates and has become a dominant policy concern across many countries and international organizations. It is central to the 17 goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This book contributes to this critical discussion by presenting assessments of global inequality measurement and analysis by leading inequality scholars. These assessments are aligned with comprehensive reviews of inequality trends in five of the world's largest developing countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. Each of these countries faces persistent or emerging high inequality contexts, and the country chapters investigate the main factors shaping their distinct inequality dynamics. Special attention is given to how broader societal inequalities, beyond the labor market, have intersected with the rapidly changing labor market milieus of recent decades.

Collectively, these chapters offer a nuanced exploration of key distributive phenomena, including the concentration of income among the most affluent individuals, gender inequalities, and social mobility. The book also assesses the substantive tax and social benefit policies implemented by each country to mitigate these inequality dynamics in detail.

By examining these case studies, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between economic, social, and political factors that contribute to inequality and provides insights into the policy challenges and opportunities facing developing countries in addressing this critical issue. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in understanding the dynamics of global inequality and developing effective strategies for promoting more equitable societies.

Weight: 718g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198863960