Inequality and segregation Inequality, segregation, diversity 2 •Inequality, segregation, diversity are tightly coupled concepts –diversity indicates mostly variety or quantity of groups in population –inequality and segregation indicate precise differences among groups • •Inequality refers to the uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, outcomes across groups –distribution of a variables in population –differences in one population from one criterion –vertical differences • •Segregation refers to the uneven distribution of groups across separate places, occupations or institutions –differences between two and more groups –differences between populations in specific areas (educational system, labor market) –horizontal differences •Inequality and segregation implies the idea of equality or evenness Historically speaking, there are three major types of systems of social stratification: slavery, caste, and class. Let me briefly describe each type. 1. In slave systems, some peoples are considered less than human and are owned as property. Their legal rights are limited, certain relationships are prohibited, and as you might imagine, and social power is essentially nonexistent. 2. In caste systems, societal groupings are based on deeply held cultural ideals and boundaries. The Indian caste system exemplifies this societal form of stratification, having both cultural and economic impacts. Caste systems are rigidly based. They are characterized by hereditary status, endogamy, and social barriers and are sanctioned by custom, law, and religion. 3. Class systems are the stratification system we are familiar with. People are divided according to economic markers such as income, wealth, ownership, and so on. There are many different characterizations of what constitutes class, and we will be talking about these characterizations today. Segregation •Segregation as a result - amount of segregation •Segregation as a result of measurement • •Segregation as a process – making segregation –White flight •Segregation as purpose –Individual action as well as institutional provisions • Measures of segregation •Entropy, Theil Index, Information Theory Index, Dissimilarity Index, Divergence Index –Most measures are „entropy-based“ –Dissimilarity index is not „entropy-based“ •Entropy a Theil Index indicate the level of diversity between groups –if all are members of one group, there is no diversity in population •Entropy measure is offered for discrete variables (proportion) •Theil Index is offered for continuous variables (distribution) • • Segregation •Inequality and segregation are structural facts (no individual) •They lie beyond the individual ability to change them •Both have negative consequences for society as well as individuals •Try to explain: economic, social, political, psychological Advantages and disadvantages of Lorenz curve and GINI coefficient •advantages of GINI •it is a number suitable for comparison of many historical periods or countries •disadvantages of GINI •it does not show the shape of inequality, different shapes but one GINI coefficient •advantages of Lorenz curve •it shows the shape of inequality, it means that it makes differences among various types of inequalities •disadvantages of Lorenz curve •but Lorenz curve is not very suitable for huge comparisons, many curves means chaos 7 How economic inequality harms societies •Video YT: Richard Wilkinson •https://youtu.be/cZ7LzE3u7Bw •Richard Gerald Wilkinson is British social epidemiologist •Best known for his book (with Kate Pickett) The Spirit Level, •He argues that equal distribution of incomes: –improves population health –decreases social problems (violence, drug abuse, teenage births, mental illness, obesity) –improves social cohesion • • • • Segregation – why it happens? •Video YT: Segregation in US | Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality •https://youtu.be/zxICQqDPD4g • • • • •