Globalization and Inequality: Perspectives on Development
Full course description
This course critically focuses on structural issues of development on a global scale. Globalization refers to the increasing interdependence of markets, states and civil societies and the resulting effects on people and their environment. By also focusing on inequality, the structural differentiation among actors in terms of access to means, opportunities and resources, issues of (re-)distribution are taken into account as well. The course investigates inequalities and interdependencies on a global, international, national and local level, while considering the role of public, private and civil society actors. Thus, it aims to understand the underlying development processes and unlock the ongoing debates. The course focuses on the following themes: globalization and development; the Global Goals for Sustainable Development; a history of inequality; the agencies of development; democratization, human rights and development; health and development; global migration and remittances; and food security, natural resources and global crises.
Course objectives
- To understand and analyze issues of globalisation and inequality from several disciplinary perspectives and recognise links between globalisation, inequality, poverty and development.
- To understand theories, concepts and historical roots of global social, political and economic inequality as well as understand contemporary issues in development and the developing world, in particular:
- Global agencies of development
- Democratisation, human rights and development
- Health and development
- Global migration and remittances
- Food security, natural resources and global crises
- To gain knowledge of the main global and international actors and networks in the field of development, including their aim, impact and effectiveness
- To analyze changes in 21st century geopolitical perspectives on development, such as the growing impact of BRICS countries.
- To develop insight in the relations between the various global crises and recent development policies
- To use the accumulated understanding and knowledge to envision future development scenarios
Prerequisites
Academic Skills Training or equivalent University-level writing skills preparation.
Recommended reading
- Hopper, P. (2018). Understanding Development. Cambridge: Polity
- Relevant academic articles, reports, book chapters and websites.