II. GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT TRENDS: Polarisation or Convergence?

Abstract

Based on the most recent and comprehensive studies, the article argues that global inequality is most likely increasing, and that internal inequality has been increasing almost all over the world. Increasing internal inequality seems to be connected to neo-liberal policies, while it is more difficult to establish the reasons behind increasing global inequality. The article criticises, however, the method used in the type of answers which build on stories of liberal successes and non-liberal failures; it is argued that this method presupposes what the authors want to prove, namely that globalisation (neo-liberalism) is beneficial.

Keywords:

• inequality
• neo-liberalism
• liberalization
• globalisation