Global Inequality - Global Stratification

Global Inequality SOCI 1306 Global Stratification The term "global stratification" describes the unequal allocation of resources across and within countries, leading to notable differences in wealth, health, and standard of life around the world. The gaps inside and between nations provide two main lenses through which to view this phenomena. Both economic and social disparities should be taken into account when talking about global inequality since they together place a greater burden of poverty on particular groups of people worldwide. Economic and social inequality frequently overlap, as noted by Myrdal (1970), making life more difficult for the world's poorest people. The prevalence of poverty, especially extreme poverty, is one of the most revealing indices of world stratification. The standard definition of extreme poverty is less than $1.90 per day. The rate of extreme poverty worldwide has been steadily declining for 20 years prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. By 2017, just 9.2 percent of people worldwide were living in extreme poverty, down from 10.1% in 2015. Even while this drop was a good thing, it still meant that in 2017 689 million people were living on less than $1.90 per day. The World Bank (2020) reports that a considerable proportion of the world's population subsisted on somewhat higher but still insufficient daily incomes: 24.1 percent earned less than $3.20 per day, and 43.6 percent earned less than $5.50. These figures serve as a powerful reminder of the pervasive global economic inequality. A key component of global stratification is economic inequality, which is frequently brought to light by contrasting the average salaries of workers across nations. For example, the typical American worker's salary is far more than the average income in many developing countries. This economic inequality is an obvious example of global stratification, in which resources and money are concentrated in some regions of the world, keeping others in a state of chronic poverty. But it's important to understand that social disparity may do just as much harm as economic inequality. Economic disparities can be caused and made worse by social inequalities, which result from prejudice and discrimination based on racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and other variables. These disparities can exist both inside and across countries. The apartheid regime in South Africa was one of the most heinous instances of socioeconomic injustice inside a country. The legalised form of racism known as apartheid severely curtailed the liberties and rights of the non-white populace. Significant social and economic disparities were brought about by this system of racial segregation and discrimination, which drew criticism from all corners of the world. The persistent effects of social inequality are demonstrated by the way that apartheid's legacy continues to influence South Africa's social and economic environment even now, decades after it was abolished. One additional important aspect of global stratification is gender disparity. Globally, women and girls frequently experience institutional discrimination that curtails their rights and prospects. One especially contentious topic is female genital mutilation (FGM), which is condemned by some as a grave violation of human rights and supported by others as a longstanding cultural practice in some tribes. Human rights organisations and Western countries have been pushing to put a stop to this practice since they claim it seriously harms women and girls physically and psychologically. A recurring topic in debates of worldwide social inequality is the conflict between upholding individual rights and honouring cultural customs, as is exemplified by the FGM debate. Global stratification is also influenced by disparities based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Amnesty International has compiled a list of several violations of human rights committed against those who don't fit into stereotypical gender or sexual norms. These atrocities demonstrate the serious and frequently fatal effects of prejudice, ranging from state-sanctioned executions to culturally acceptable rape. These kinds of bias and discrimination are not limited to any particular area; they are found everywhere, from Tibet to Somalia to the United States. These violations highlight how widespread social inequality is by limiting people's freedom and even putting their lives in danger. The COVID-19 epidemic has made economic and social inequality in the world much worse. The poorest populations have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic's economic repercussions, which has caused millions more people to live in extreme poverty. The social effects have been just as bad, with marginalised people experiencing more violence and prejudice. The epidemic has brought to light and exacerbated already-existing inequalities, underscoring the pressing need for international action to address these problems. In conclusion, social and economic inequality are both parts of the complicated and diverse phenomena known as global stratification. Significant differences in wealth, health, and living standards are caused by the uneven allocation of resources across and within nations. Global stratification is characterised by societal inequities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other variables, although economic disparity is frequently the most obvious. The world's most vulnerable groups bear the brunt of poverty and prejudice as a result of the intersections and reinforcements between these types of inequality. In order to address global stratification, a comprehensive strategy that addresses social as well as economic inequality is needed to guarantee that everyone has the chance to live in security and dignity.