Research Director Professor John Gaventa contributed to a session on inequality at the recent World Congress of Political Science that took place in Poznan, responding directly to a presentation made by leading economist and recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Professor Joseph Stiglitz.
Political leadership and tackling inequality
The 2016 IPSA World Congress brought together leading political scientists and economic experts from across the world to discuss the challenge of inequality in the 21st century and the role of politics, political leaders and societies in tackling it. As Professor Gaventa highlighted in his own remarks rising extreme inequality is one of the most critical and urgent issues of our time, and a strategic focus of work at IDS. His comments in response to Professor Stiglitz’s presentation drew on new analysis brought together as part of the next World Social Science Report (WSSR) entitled ‘Challenging Inequalities: Pathways to a Just World’ which IDS is co-editing with the International Social Science Council (ISSC). The report will be published in September by UNESCO. Professor Gaventa’s response focused on the following four key questions:
- What is the relationship between economic and political inequality?
- Are the possibilities for redistribution constrained by global markets?
- What are the political consequences of greater economic inequality?
- Is a redistributive agenda possible today?
What is the relationship between economic and political inequality?
Professor Stiglitz highlighted in his presentation that a vicious cycle exists through which economic inequality leads to political inequality and political inequality shapes economic inequality. Professor Gaventa argued that not only is this cycle influenced by formal decision-making processes but by hidden power which keeps certain issues off the political agenda. He drew on examples provided by Professor Richard Wilkinson, also speaking at the event, on how inequality affects self-perception, which can lead to acceptance of an unjust status quo and ultimately limits political action. However these examples contrast directly with other instances where inequalities have triggered active responses such as the Occupy movement, food riots, or the rise of protest actions. Ultimately Professor Gaventa argued that much better understanding was required around the interlinkages between economic and political inequality.
Are the possibilities for redistribution constrained by global markets?
Professor Gaventa highlighted new evidence that will be published in the forthcoming WSSR around the positive role that progressive taxation and international initiatives to deal with global tax havens can play in the fight against inequalities. In Iceland and some countries in Latin America , including Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, progressive taxation policies in combination with other policies have led to modest redistribution. Also, initiatives to promote greater information sharing and transparency across nations around taxation are becoming increasingly important and put the issue of ‘hidden power’ in the spotlight.
What are the political consequences of greater economic inequality?
Professor Gaventa pointed to the significant body of evidence that now exists around the negative impacts of inequalities on society and how these inequalities intersect and are experienced by some groups in cumulative ways.
Is a redistributive agenda possible today?
Professor Gaventa argued that progressive taxation alongside decent work and decent pay; global policies on trade and aid; redistribution of land, water and other natural resources; social protection and good quality public services and more inclusive governance frameworks are key components of a redistributive agenda. They need to be combined with high-level political commitment to, and bottom-up political pressure for change.
Drawing on recommendations from the forthcoming WSSR report, Professor Gaventa argued that more needs to be done to identify and define the pathways to greater equality, including the generation of new, rigorous research and evidence, particularly by institutes and organisations based in the Global South.
Key contacts
