Unit 5
A World of Inequalities

Overview

The world as we know it comprises many inequalities among regions, countries, peoples, and groups. Unit 5 analyses three different examples of inequalities: inequalities between countries of the North and the South, inequalities of the debt crisis, and inequalities based on gender.

Lesson 12 discusses different interpretations of the inequalities between countries of the South and the North. Dependency theory and liberal analysis provide different answers to the question: Why are the nations of the South so poor? Lesson 13 illustrates how these inequalities were evident in the debt crisis of the 1980s. Using a historical analysis of the crisis, Lesson 13 also considers different management strategies for debt, and illustrates how many of these strategies reinforce North-South inequalities.

Lesson 14 examines how the global order is based on and reproduces gender inequalities in such areas as labour, resources, and violence. Lesson 14 also considers the benefits of gender analysis for international relations.

Lesson 12
North-South Inequalities

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Lesson 12, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives.

1. Describe and evaluate two different theories that account for the inequalities between North and South.
2. Discuss several historical factors that have shaped the inequalities between North and South.
3. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of establishing global standards for immigration.
4. Identify and contrast the historical precursors for these theories.
5. Discuss several ways in which historical factors affected the development of theories related to the North and the South.
6. Discuss changes in the international economic order following the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-98.
7. Describe the growing problem of illegal long-distance migration from poor to rich countries.

Lesson 13
The Global Debt Crisis

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Lesson 13, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives.

1. Describe the key causes of the debt problems of developing countries.
2. Outline the link between debt relief and the Millennium Development Goals.
3. Discuss the impact of debt relief on the Highly Indebted Countries.
4. Discuss the internal causes of indebtedness in developing countries.

Lesson 14
Gender and Global Politics

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Lesson 14, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives.

1. Explain how gender inequalities are perpetuated at the international level in the areas of violence, labour, and resources.
2. Describe how a division of labour by gender exists at the international level.
3. Discuss strategies for taking gender out of global politics.