Hickel, Jason. 2017. Is Global Inequality Getting Better or Worse?: A Critique of the World Bank’s Convergence Narrative. Third World Quarterly, 38(10), pp. 2208-2222. ISSN 0143-6597 [Article]

No full text available

Text Hickel - Is Global Inequality Getting Better or Worse.pdf - Published Version Permissions: Administrator Access Only Download (1MB)

Abstract or Description

The dominant narrative of global income inequality is one of convergence. Recent high-profile publications by Branko Milanovic and the World Bank claim that the global Gini coefficient has declined since 1988, and that inter-country inequality has declined since 1960. But the convergence narrative relies on a misleading presentation of the data. It obscures the fact that convergence is driven mostly by China; it fails to acknowledge rising absolute inequality; and it ignores divergence between geopolitical regions. This paper suggests alternative measures that bring geopolitics back in by looking at the gap between the core and periphery of the world system. From this perspective, global inequality has tripled since 1960.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2017.1333414
Keywords:	Inequality, development, convergence, divergence, neoliberalism, structural adjustment
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Anthropology
Dates:	Date Event 15 June 2017 Published Online 18 May 2017 Accepted
Item ID:	22006
Date Deposited:	14 Nov 2017 16:04
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2020 16:40
Peer Reviewed:	Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/22006

View statistics for this item...

Edit Record (login required)