Global Inequality: Why Should We Care?

Week 8's question is: Why we should care about global inequality?

Global inequality creates vastly different life experiences. While life may be comfortable and pleasant for many of us in the United States, this is not the case for others around the world. In fact, according to our textbook, one third of the world’s poor are undernourished, and almost all are illiterate, lacking even primary school education. In sub-Saharan Africa, “A child is more likely to die before the age of five than to enter secondary school” (Giddens; Duneier; Appelbaum; Carr, 2012).  Not only do these conditions of famine, disease, and malnourishment decrease the life expectancy rate in these countries, but they also decrease the quality of life.

Why does this matter? While the phrase, “Out of sight, out of mind” could come up in terms of wondering why other poor countries are relevant to our lives, it is important to understand that countries around the world are becoming increasingly intertwined, which affects our lives greatly and in ways we sometimes fail to realize.

Global inequality can affect the prices we pay to obtain goods and services, as well as the money our country makes in selling goods and services. Global inequality also affects the size and strength of our economy; the world environment in terms of competition, trade, alliances, peace, security, and more; and the advantages and disadvantages of stratification amongst different countries.

A prime example of involvement with other countries is the production of the “American” Barbie doll. Although Barbie is designed in the United States, the only physical part of her that is made here is her cardboard box. The rest of her is comprised in factories primarily in China, Indonesia, and Malaysia, illustrating the intertwined countries involvement in production.

We should care about global inequality because it affects our relationships with other countries, and our relationships with other countries affect our safety, economy, and overall well-being.