1. Chapter 11—Global Inequality
Jon Witt

2. The Global Divide Global resource divide is immense
Industrial Revolution and increased agricultural productivity resulted in explosive economic growth
Ensuing rise in living standards not evenly distributed across world
Divide within countries in terms of income, wealth, poverty, and social mobility also significant
The Global Divide

3. Note: In this comparison, industrial nations include the United States and Canada, Japan, western Europe, and Australasia. Developing nations include Africa, Asia (except Japan), Latin America, eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Source: Adapted from Sutcliffe 2002:18.

4. Perspectives on Global Stratification
The Rise of Modernization
Modernization Far-reaching process by which nations pass from traditional forms of social organization toward forms characteristic of post– Industrial Revolution societies
Modernization and development contain an ethnocentric bias
Such modernization represents form of cultural imperialism
Perspectives on Global Stratification

5. Perspectives on Global Stratification
The Legacy of Colonialism
Colonialism Maintenance of political, social, economic, and cultural dominance over a people by a foreign power for an extended period
Neocolonialism Continuing dependence of former colonies on foreign countries
Perspectives on Global Stratification

6. Perspectives on Global Stratification
The Legacy of Colonialism
World Systems Analysis View of the global economic system as one divided between certain industrialized nations that control wealth and developing countries that are controlled and exploited (Wallerstein)
Dependency Theory Contends that industrialized nations continue to exploit developing countries for their own gain
Growing share of human and natural resources of developing countries redistributed to core industrialized nations
Perspectives on Global Stratification

7. Perspectives on Global Stratification
The Legacy of Colonialism
Globalization Worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and exchange of ideas
Perspectives on Global Stratification

8. Perspectives on Global Stratification
The Growth of Multinational Corporations
Multinational Corporation Commercial organization headquartered in one country but does business around the world
Total revenue of multinational businesses are on a par with total value of goods and services exchanged in entire nations
Over one-fourth of U.S. goods and services related to export or import of goods
Perspectives on Global Stratification

9. Perspectives on Global Stratification
Modernization
Relationships between multinationals and developing countries beneficial
Industries and jobs
Promote rapid development
Facilitate exchange of ideas and technology around the world, making world more interdependent
Perspectives on Global Stratification

10. Perspectives on Global Stratification
Dependency
Multinationals exploit local workers to maximize profits
Cheap foreign labor bad for industrialized country labor (loses jobs) and developing nation labor (“climate of investment” may include repressive antilabor laws)
Investment by multinationals initially contributes to host nation’s wealth, but eventually increases economic inequality within developing nations
Perspectives on Global Stratification

11. Stratification Around the World
Income and Wealth
In at least 20 nations, most affluent 10% of the population receives at least 40% of all income
Top 10% of world’s population own 85% of global household wealth, and top 1% own 40%
Women in developing countries face significant obstacles
Stratification Around the World

12. Note: Data are considered comparable although based on statistics covering 2000 to 2008.
Source: World Bank 2009d, 2010e.

13. Stratification Around the World
Poverty
UN Millennium Project aims to eliminate global poverty by 2015
Goal of cutting the developing world’s poverty rate in half is on track
Industrial nations must set aside 0.7% of gross national product for developing nations
Gross National Income (GNI) Total value of a nation’s goods and services
U.S. delivers more total aid dollars than any other nation, but rate of GNI is only ahead of Korea, Italy, and Japan among 22 industrialized nations
Stratification Around the World

15. Stratification Around the World
Social Mobility
Intergenerational Mobility Across Countries
Varies across countries
Macrolevel social and economic changes often overshadow microlevel movement from one occupation to another
Gender Differences and Mobility
Effects of development on women’s social standing and mobility not necessarily positive
Stratification Around the World

16. Stratification Around the World
Social Stratification in Mexico
Mexico’s Economy
In 2008, gross national income per person in the U.S. was $47,930; in Mexico it was $9,990
About 36% of U.S. adults have bachelor’s degree compared to 18% of Mexicans
Gap between Mexico’s poorest and richest citizens is one of the widest in the world
Castañeda (1995:71): Mexico is a “polarized society with enormous gaps between rich and poor, town and country, north and south, white and brown (or criollos and mestizos )”
Stratification Around the World

17. Stratification Around the World
Social Stratification in Mexico
Race Relations in Mexico: The Color Hierarchy
Social class linked to appearance of racial purity
Widespread denial of prejudice and discrimination against people of color
Marked growth in past decade of formal organizations and voluntary associations representing indigenous Indians
Stratification Around the World

18. Stratification Around the World
Social Stratification in Mexico
The Status of Women in Mexico
Constitute 45% of labor force
More mired in lowest-paying jobs than counterparts in industrial nations
Rarely occupy top decision-making positions, but women have significantly increased their representation in national legislature to 28%
In recent decades, Mexican women have organized to address an array of economic, political, and health issues
Stratification Around the World

19. Stratification Around the World
Social Stratification in Mexico
The Borderlands
Borderlands Area of common culture along border between Mexico and U.S.
Maquiladoras Foreign-owned factories established just across Mexican border; do not have to pay taxes or provide benefits for workers
With China’s entry into the WTO in 2001, some companies switching operations to China
Stratification Around the World

20. Stratification Around the World
Social Stratification in Mexico
Emigration to the United States
Some suggest immigration problems more labor market issue than law enforcement issue
Social impact of immigration to U.S. felt throughout Mexico
Many Mexicans send some part of their earnings back
Remittances (migradollars) Estimated to be minimum of $22 billion in 2009
Stratification Around the World

21. Universal Human Rights
Defining Human Rights
Human Rights Universal moral rights that all people possess by virtue of being human
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by United Nations in 1948
1990s introduced ethnic cleansing into world vocabulary as euphemism for forcible expulsion and murder
Transnational crime of human trafficking is ongoing concern
Universal Human Rights

22. Universal Human Rights
Principle and Practice
U.S. war on terrorism has raised additional concerns about human rights
Cultural insiders and outsiders can disagree about what constitutes a violation
In 1993, U.S. opted for absolute definition of human rights, insisting Universal Declaration of Human Rights set single standard for acceptable behavior around the world
Universal Human Rights

23. Universal Human Rights
Human Rights Activism
Most initiatives come from social movements, not governments
Awareness has been growing of lesbian and gay rights as aspect of universal human rights
Universal Human Rights

24. Note: Table is incomplete; each tier lists only sample nations.
Source: U.S. Department of State 2010.