Tag: inequality

Social and Economic Inequality

By Brian Roach, Pratistha Joshi Rajkarnikar, Neva Goodwin and Jonathan M. Harris This module, based on Chapter 10 of Microeconomics in Context, 5th edition, provides an overview of some of the key issues on economic and social inequality, looking beyond income measures to explore inequalities based on education, health care and discrimination in the labor market. […]

Environmental Justice: Income, Race and Health

By Rachel Massey, Meghan Maquet and Jonathan Harris The module illustrates the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by minority and low-income communities, using data and case studies. It delves into the limitations and applications of economic analysis on topics of valuing human life, precautionary principle, and the distinctions between efficiency and equity. The module discusses issues […]

Alternatives to Growth-Centric Development

By Erin Lennox and Rebecca Hollender This module considers the problems of environmental degradation and inequality in relation to growth-centric development. Perspectives on alternatives to growth along with related policies, practices and challenges are discussed to explain the need to limit economic activity to within the biophysical limits of the planet. The module features extensive […]

Revised Economic Thinking for a New World: New Editions of the “In Context” Textbooks

By Pratistha Joshi Rajkarnikar As the world has undergone seismic shifts over the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rising social and economic inequality and the escalating climate crisis, new approaches to economics are needed to reflect the complexities of this rapidly evolving world.  The latest editions of Microeconomics in Context and Macroeconomics […]

Mad Money: The Financialization and Rising Inequality of the US Economy

By Pratistha Joshi Rajkarnikar A recent UN news story blames the excessive speculation in the financial markets for impeding basic human rights. The 2022 World Development Report highlights the need to address fragilities within the financial sector for a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, and several studies have linked the rise of finance to lower […]

How COVID-19 Has Magnified Pre-existing Inequalities in the US

By Ellie Hu The distribution of wealth and resources in the United States has been extremely unequal in recent decades, as the share of national wealth owned by the top 1 percent has increased from less than 25 percent in the late 1970s to around 45 percent more recently. In 2022, the top 1 percent […]

Teaching Modules Roundup: Incorporating Social Issues into Introductory Economics

By Stacey Yuen The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains deeply felt in the classroom as a new year has arrived. Beyond the possibility of switching to remote teaching, educators and students alike are contending with questions about whether their curriculum materials effectively reflect the changing realities in their society and the socioeconomic challenges that […]