The Economics of Inequality, Discrimination, Poverty and Exploitation
There is abundant statistical evidence to indicate that labour market inequalities exist in the EU, the US, China and India. Comparisons of natives and immigrants, racial majorities and minorities and of men and women reveal striking differences in income, wages, human capital, employment rates and occupational segregation. In particular, men earn more than women and natives earn more than immigrants. In part, the earning differentials among these groups might arise because of differences in social origins, opportunities, educational attainments, training, health and mental health. However, prejudices and stereotypes may well also play their parts. Discrimination towards minority groups has existed in developed and developing economies for decades and although in recent years negative attitudes have declined, workplace discrimination still exists with regard to female employees, older employees, employees with disabilities and employees who are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Empirical EU, US, Chinese and Indian evidence also suggests that poverty and unemployment are the two major challenges facing the world economy at present, and that poverty is much higher in some minority groups, including migrants, than in the rest of the population. Moreover, exploitation and modern slavery take various forms around the globe and affect people of all ages, genders and races: from migrants forced to work in factories, domestic work or agriculture, to women and children subjected to sexual exploitation.
In this course, we engage in open and critical discussions about questions such as: What is labour market discrimination? Who is poor in developed and developing countries? What is labour-market exploitation? Why is inequality concentrated among certain groups characterised by race and sex? How are issues associated with social mobility linked to inequality and poverty? How might inequality, discrimination, poverty and exploitation be measured and reduced? How can preschool interventions reduce inequality? Do immigrant workers depress the wages of native workers? Do immigrants take the jobs of native workers?
This course leads students into critical thinking focused on important concepts relating to inequality, discrimination, poverty, exploitation, migration, and feminism.
Course Objectives
During the examination of inequality, several alternative theoretical frameworks are examined: Human capital, past inequality the internationalisation of production, skill-biased technical changes and labour market institutions.
In examining discrimination, the most well-known frameworks are evaluated: taste-based discrimination, statistical discrimination, occupational segregation and crowding.
In order to evaluate exploitation, both mainstream (Neoclassical) and non-mainstream (Marxist) theories are presented.
In addition, we examine poverty by presenting the most important models such as: Classical; Neoclassical; Monetary; Liberal; Keynesian and Marxist. Moreover, migration and its effect on immigrants’ and natives’ employment outcomes are presented through the following theories: Neoclassical, The new economics of migration, Dual labour market, World systems, Network and Institutional. Feminism is presented through its most important and influential forms: Liberal; Radical; Marxist; Eco and Multicultural.
Intended Audience
The course provides the theoretical and practical knowledge students need to work on inequality, discrimination, poverty and exploitation. It provides a solid basis and training for a wide range of posts in the public sector and in research centres, non-governmental organisations and foundations. This course aims to become part of the students’ toolkit for their further endeavours.
Previous Knowledge
Previous knowledge of micro- and macro-economics is required. Students should be comfortable manipulating basic mathematical equations and evaluating empirical tables, and diagrams.
Transferable Knowledge and Skills
By the end of this course, students should be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative explanations of inequality, discrimination poverty and exploitation and analyse public policies in the light of the evidence.
Upon completion of the course, students should have knowledge of how social scientists define, evaluate, measure and compare income inequality, discrimination, poverty and exploitation, and an understanding of the economic role of social planners as professionals who respond to inequality, discrimination, poverty and exploitation.
Professor Nick Drydakis
Professor Nick Drydakis, PhD in Economics, is a world-leading researcher in labour economics, and he is listed in the top 5% group of economists (2024 IDEAS Last 10 Years Publications). His research focuses on the correlations between employment, AI, wages, health, and the economy as a whole. He has published single-author articles in widely renowned journals, including Labour Economics, Social Science and Medicine, Industrial Relations, Journal of Population Economics, Journal of Vocational Behavior, and Human Relations.
Nick is a consultant at the International Labour Organization (United Nations) and the European Commission. He is a Spokesperson and Editor in the IZA World of Labor Program, a partnership between IZA, the OECD, and the World Bank that provides policymakers with research to inform policy strategies.
Nick collaborates with the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge as an Academic Expert in labour economics, providing expert knowledge to Directors from Whitehall, local government, and the European Commission. He is a Supervisor and Academic Associate at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. Moreover, Nick is a Professor of Economics at Anglia Ruskin University (UK), where he directs the Centre of Inclusive Societies and Economies. Nick’s work during the period 2014-2022 has generated world-leading impact, as assessed by the UK Government's REF assessment.
Nick is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and a Fellow and Cluster Lead of the GLO (Germany). Nick’s research outcomes and policy implications have been utilized by the World Bank, the OECD, the ILO, the EC, and European Governments to shape and inform future employment and health policies. He has worked on European Commission, UK, and World Bank research programs such as the Progress Program, European Territorial Cooperation Program, Knowledge Platform Program, COST, Horizon 2020, and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.