A relationship between current globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty

Abstract

Purpose

This paper contends that there is a positive relationship between current globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty, which paves a vista for further academic discourse.

Design/methodology/approach

As a meta‐analytical study, the paper relied on secondary data. It is a qualitative study, which is based on conceptual analysis, theory building and “emic” perspective (authors' viewpoint).

Findings

A relationship between current globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty should be investigated further. Unemployment increases levels of inequality and poverty within society. Although bequeathed with various names and definitions, the logics of current globalisation seem to have exacerbated the problem of global unemployment, the corollary of which is endemic inequality and poverty.

Practical implications

Increases in income inequality and poverty over the past decades, can be attributed to globalisation. Therefore, within the domain of unemployment, inequality and poverty in the era of globalisation, renewed problems of global competition, job termination, wage reductions, labour immobility and technological displacement of workers, have accelerated the rate of global unemployment, the corollary of which is endemic inequality and poverty.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is that it examines the phenomenon of globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty, from a different perspective, which creates an opportunity for further constructive debate.

Citation

Ukpere, W.I. and Slabbert, A.D. (2009), "A relationship between current globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 36 No. 1/2, pp. 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290910921172