University of California - Davis: Geneva - The Politics of Global Inequality

The long-standing division of the global system into richer and poorer regions poses many important problems in international political economy. The Politics of Global Inequality presents a theoretical background to North-South issues and analyzes current problems in economic and political relations. After defining inequality, we will examine the sources of inequality emanating from the international system as well as from domestic political systems. We will also examine specific problems poor countries face, such as agricultural reform, population growth, levels of international trade and foreign direct investment. The program integrates these issues with an exploration of the role that intergovernmental agencies play in facilitating development. We will visit organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), which are headquartered in Geneva and provide many of the prescriptions for development.