Inequality In Europe Research Articles

Scenarios for population health inequalities in 2030 in Europe: the EURO-HEALTHY project experience

BackgroundHealth inequalities have been consistently reported across and within European countries and continue to pose major challenges to policy-making. The development of scenarios regarding what could affect population health (PH) inequalities across Europe in the future is considered critical. Scenarios can help policy-makers prepare and better cope with fast evolving challenges.ObjectiveThis paper describes the three 2030 time-horizon scenarios developed under the EURO-HEALTHY project, depicting the key factors that may affect the evolution of PH inequalities across European regions.MethodsA three-stage socio-technical approach was applied: i) identification of drivers (key factors expected to affect the evolution of PH inequalities across European regions until 2030) – this stage engaged in a Web-Delphi process a multidisciplinary panel of 51 experts and other stakeholders representing the different perspectives regarding PH inequalities; ii) generation of scenario structures – different drivers’ configurations (i.e. their hypotheses for evolution) were organized into coherent scenario structures using the Extreme-World Method; and iii) validation of scenario structures and generation of scenario narratives. Stages ii) and iii) were conducted in two workshops with a strategic group of 13 experts with a wide view about PH inequalities. The scenario narratives were elaborated with the participants’ insights from both the Web-Delphi process and the two workshops, together with the use of evidence (both current and future-oriented) on the different areas within the PH domain.ResultsThree scenarios were developed for the evolution of PH inequalities in Europe until 2030: ‘Failing Europe’ (worst-case but plausible picture of the future), ‘Sustainable Prosperity’ (best-case but plausible picture of the future), and an interim scenario ‘Being Stuck’ depicting a ‘to the best of our knowledge’ evolution. These scenarios show the extent to which a combination of Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental drivers shape future health inequalities, providing information for European policy-makers to reflect upon whether and how to design robust policy solutions to tackle PH inequalities.ConclusionsThe EURO-HEALTHY scenarios were designed to inform both policy design and appraisal. They broaden the scope, create awareness and generate insights regarding the evolution of PH inequalities across European regions.

Diverging trends of wage inequality in Europe

Diverging trends of wage inequality in Europe

How well are citizens represented by their governments? Issue congruence and inequality in Europe

AbstractThis study analyses congruence across various issues in 16 European democracies. Making use of public opinion and expert survey data, our analyses show that congruence between the policy preferences of citizens and the stances of governments is much more complex than what is revealed by studies focusing on ideology solely. Size and directions of incongruence are larger and more systematic on specific issues than on the left–right scale. On redistribution, citizens are more to the left than their governments, while popular support for European integration is systematically lower among citizens than among their representatives. Moreover, the relatively poor are particularly underrepresented on redistribution, while the preferences of the relatively lower educated are not well reflected in government preferences in relation to European integration. We interpret these results as being partly linked to a representation gap with privileged social groups enjoying higher levels of congruence with their government.

The Determinants of Income Inequality in Europe: Do Trade Liberalisation and Financial Liberalisation Matter?

This study provides evidences about the determinants of income inequality in 31 sampled countries of Europe. Prior to implementing the empirical research, the study identifies the factors, which according to theories, affects the level of income inequality. Income inequality is now an issue bordering not only the developing countries, but also the emerging and the developed ones as well. The results obtained from the estimated model enabled to draw some interesting conclusions. Firstly, quality of the rule of law determines income inequality, secondly, trade liberalisation conditions income, thirdly, level of financial development determines inequality of income and finally, education level in emerging countries decreases level of income inequality, while it increases the level of inequality in the developed countries of the continent.

Family dynamics in China and Europe in the last half-century

This review offers a joint perspective on Chinese and European key demographic trends in the family domain, emphasising the impact of macro-level social structures and institutions on individual life courses. We outline key demographic shifts across the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and China in the period after the ‘golden age of the welfare state’ in Europe and the ‘post-reform’ era in China (after the 1970s). Several empirical trends are highlighted, with a focus on: rising inequality in China and persistent inequality in Europe; the traditional family sequence in China and de-standardization of life courses in Europe; ending with similarities between countries in population aging and differences in later life courses with regards to intergenerational transfers. We draw upon a range of theoretical frameworks to argue that trends in marriage, fertility and intergenerational relationships reflect tensions between rapid social and economic changes and discuss the limitations of modernisation theories and the second demographic transition.

Brexit and the Future of UK Capitalism

Brexit and the Future of <scp>UK</scp> Capitalism

Diverging trends of wage inequality in Europe

Abstract Since the middle/end of the 2000s wage inequality has increased in some European countries (such as Portugal or the UK) and decreased in others (especially in Hungary and Poland). In this article, we analyse the role of the minimum wage and of workers’ and firms’ observed characteristics behind these diverging trends in wage inequality. Our findings indicate that compositional changes as regards education are a key factor pushing up inequality in the majority of the countries, but particularly in Italy and Portugal. Other factors either contribute to increased or decreased inequality, specifically minimum wage changes, the percentage of non-native employees and native wage premiums. Minimum wage changes seem to be of crucial importance in Greece, Hungary and Poland. Finally, the presence of non-natives in the labour market is a key determinant in the UK, but also to some extent in Austria and Hungary.

Labour Inequalities in Europe: The Case of Serbia

Gender differences present a topic of great interest in contemporary societies. Aim of this paper is to make a comparison between the unemployment in Serbia and the European countries, and to identify those countries which record the most similar performances considering gender and age. The research is conducted through analysis of activity rates, employment rates, unemployment rates, inactivity rates and long-term unemployment rates. The factor analysis enabled us to identify main factors that influence structures of the labour markets in Europe. Final result of this research is the recommendation of policy measures, including the promotion of women entrepreneurship, in order to reduce gender inequalities in contemporary society's economic activity.

Book Review: Reducing Inequalities in Europe: How Industrial Relations and Labour Policies Can Close the Gap Edited by Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead

Book Review: Reducing Inequalities in Europe: How Industrial Relations and Labour Policies Can Close the Gap Edited by Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead

Some problems in Piketty: an internal critique

Thomas Piketty’s evidence on wealth distribution trends in Capital in the Twenty-First Century shows that – contra his own interpretation – there has been little rise in wealth inequality in Europe and America since the 1970s. This article relates that finding to the other principal trends in Piketty’s analysis: the capital/national income ratio trend, the capital-labor split of total incomes and the income inequality trend. Given that wealth inequality is not rising markedly, what can we deduce about the putative causes that might be operating upstream? Only the capital-labor split looks like a plausible explanation of the wealth inequality trend.

Reducing Inequalities in Europe: How Industrial Relations and Labour Policies Can Close the Gap, Edited by Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead (2018) Cheltenham, UK/Northampton, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 640 pages. ISBN: 978-1-78811-628-2

Reducing Inequalities in Europe: How Industrial Relations and Labour Policies Can Close the Gap, Edited by Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead (2018) Cheltenham, UK/Northampton, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 640 pages. ISBN: 978-1-78811-628-2

Income inequality in transition economies: A comparative analysis of Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia

This paper investigates the relationship between income inequality and different welfare state trajectories that three countries of the former Yugoslavia ?south of the Alps? have taken over the three decades since the breakup of the country in 1990. It is remarkable that three countries emerging from a common (socialist) system have experienced diametrically opposing outcomes regarding inequality. Slovenia has one of the lowest levels of income inequality in Europe, Croatia an average level of inequality, and Serbia one of the highest levels. The paper first examines the extent and nature of income inequality in the three countries before examining the determining causes of inequality, rooted in the evaluation of labour markets, education systems, and tax-benefit systems. It concludes that the divergent transition paths have created the different inequality outcomes observed in the three countries. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;font color="red"&gt;&lt;b&gt; This article has been corrected. Link to the correction &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/EKA2024129E"&gt;10.2298/EKA2024129E&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/font&gt;

Changing the heart and soul? Inequalities in Finland’s current pursuit of a narrow education policy

The Finnish educational system is well known for its excellent learning results, highly trained teachers and egalitarian values. However, when the political leanings of the government change, its policies are usually altered as well. In this policy report we give an account of the recent changes and current trends in Finnish education policy. We analyse the characteristics of the Sipilä Government’s current education policy since 2015 and compare it to the Nordic welfare-state ideals of universalism, equality and social justice which have traditionally been the key building blocks of the Finnish education system. The Government’s policy appears to be narrow-minded and ignorant of issues related to educational equality, stressing instead the importance of a flexible workforce and national competitiveness. We will reflect on the characteristics of Finnish education policy in light of the debate regarding academic capitalism and as part of an overarching trend of social inequality in Europe.

Austerity and gender inequalities in Europe in times of crisis

The post-2008 recession and the countercyclical responses by European governments that followed triggered an extensive wave of fiscal adjustments. Although underpinned by widespread consensus, the implementation of such measures has also been severely criticised. While their effect on output and employment has been extensively investigated, their impact on wage inequality has received less attention. In this paper, we focus on the consequences of fiscal consolidation measures for gender inequality. After describing the literature-based conceptual framework of our analysis, we provide empirical evidence of the effect of fiscal consolidation on: (i) the adjusted gender wage gap, and (ii) the patterns of gender horizontal segregation. The analysis covers EU-28 countries in the years 2010–13. Results show that austerity measures (both tax-based and expenditure-based) impacted significantly on various aspects of gender wage inequality, putting at risk the relatively little progress achieved in Europe so far.

La crisis europea de la política: pluralismo etno-religioso y el auge del populismo y la extrema derecha en Europa

No genera mucha polémica sostener que la crisis económica del 2008 puede entenderse como un fracaso de los estados de bienestar europeos. Tanto el incremento de las desigualdades económicas parcialmente motivadas por esta crisis global, como el aumento de los flujos migratorios, han contribuido a crear un caldo de cultivo para el auge de los discursos de odio racial, religioso e ideológico en occidente. Sin embargo, haciendo la comparación con periodos históricos previos en los que surgieron tensiones equiparables, la ciudadanía de hoy en día puede canalizar sus intereses, necesidades, emociones, pensamientos e ideales políticos a través de las instituciones que conforman la estructura básica del estado. Así, la ciudadanía puede empoderarse canalizando sus reivindicaciones a través de mecanismos democráticos y distintas formas de participación política. Como ejemplo, una articulación relevante han sido las nuevas expresiones de populismo radical, nativismo e ideologías de extrema derecha que han surgido en varios niveles de la esfera pública y en distintas sociedades europeas. Esta combinación ha hecho que lo que era en un principio una crisis económica y de refugiados se haya convertido en una crisis que es sobre todo política.Publicación en línea: 31 octubre 2018

The European Crisis of Politics: Ethnoreligious Pluralism and the Rise of Radical Populism and Far-Right in Europe

It is not highly contentious to claim that the 2008 global economic crisis may be also understood as a failure of the welfare state in European countries. The rise of economic inequalities in Europe, as a major sequel of the 2008 economic crisis and the increase of migrant flows, has fostered and become a breeding ground for racial, religious, or ideological hatred in the western world. However, compared to previous periods in recent history when tensions arose, citizens can now channel their feelings, thoughts, and political ideals through the institutions of the state’s basic structure. Thus, citizens are having a say by channelling their claims through democratic means and different forms of political participation. One relevant articulation has been new expressions of radical populism, nativism, and far-right ideologies which have burst into the public sphere, at the local, regional, and European levels. This combination has turned the economic and refugee crisis into what is mainly a crisis of European politics.Published online: 31 October 2018

Examining gender health inequalities in Europe using a Synthetic Health Indicator: the role of family policies.

Family policies have been shown to affect men's and women's health throughout the European Union, though particularly in the case of women. This paper seeks to analyze this effect by creating two Synthetic Health Indicators (SHIs) differentiated by gender applying the P2 distance method. We also aim to compare the results obtained by means of our SHI and the Self-rated health (SRH) indicator, as it is the most common indicator used to approach individuals' health. The 2012 European Quality of Life Survey was used to construct the SHI. Dimensions such as physical health, mental health, psychosocial resources, the capacity of health services and community health status were included in our SHI. All proved to be relevant when measuring individuals' health. Gender health inequalities differed depending on the indicator used in each European country. When considering family policy, we found significant gender health gaps that favoured men in traditional countries, regardless of the indicator used (SHI or SRH). Moreover, with our SHI we found significant gender health inequalities in market-oriented and dual-earner countries that were not revealed by the SRH indicator, highlighting the fact that current equality policies are necessary but insufficient to overcome the gender health gap. The SHI was more sensitive to gender differences and evidenced certain advantages compared to the SRH. The SHI includes a wide range of variables that incorporated large amounts of fresh information, allowing men and women to have a personalized design of their own health.

Activity limitation in elderly people in the European context of gender inequality: a multilevel approach.

The objective of the present study was to examine the magnitude of gender differences in activity limitations among the elderly, and the effect of the health and social individual factors and the context of social gender inequality in Europe. Cross-sectional design was performed. The study population included residents aged 60 years or over from 17 countries that participated in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe conducted in 2010-13 (n = 49,685). Gender differences in activity limitation in each country was estimated. For multilevel analysis adjusted linear mixed effect models were used, where the intercept and 'sex' were considered random effects, with the 95% confidence intervals. The activity limitation index was created from a two parameter logistic combined models of item response theory. The average activity limitation index was significantly higher in women, (g10 = b1j = 0.36, p < 0.001), and was then controlled by individual and contextual factors, while the extent of these differences varied among countries. The European countries with the greatest gender differences in activity limitations were those with the greatest social gender inequalities, with women presenting a significant disadvantage.

Fifty shades of white

Abstract This research article reflects on social inequalities in Europe in a transnational perspective, focusing on racial hierarchies between Westerners and ‘peripherally white’ migrants from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Peripheral whiteness is a concept introduced to account for the simultaneous privilege and subordination experienced by white migrants from non-Western countries. Peripheral whiteness is here examined on the example of migrant domestic workers from Ukraine employed in Poland and their Polish counterparts active in private households in Belgium. The contribution shows that, compared to their non-white counterparts, peripherally white domestic workers from CEE benefit from being racialised as white. This privilege is, however, inextricable from the subalternity of their status. The fact that the majority of domestic workers in Brussels are Polish and an increasing number of domestic workers in Warsaw come from Ukraine can be partially explained by the worker-employer hierarchy implicitly established by the (semi-)peripheral status of their countries of origin.

Less Regional Rhetoric, More Diversity. Urbanised Alps in the Interest of Cohesive Societies

The current regional development strategies require mountain regions to specialise in their landscape resources and to value them independently. The hypothesis is that this strategy has to be questioned in view of increasing spatial inequality in Europe. In the peripheral areas, this inequality is mainly due to differences in development opportunities. It finds its expression in an increasing social cleavage, which in turn is expressed in polarized voting practices of the population: Rich regions are acting regionalist in order to leave the larger community of solidarity of the nation state. Poor regions see nationalist and openly racist currents spreading. Cities, including those in the Alps, attract an educated and more prosperous population and are able to handle social conflicts more generously. The gap between the large core cities and their hinterlands is widening. In the interest of cohesive societies, it does not seem very expedient in this situation to further intensify regional competition by selectively valorising landscape resources. On the one hand, not all regions are in a position to do so. On the other hand, the valorisation of landscape resources, especially in the Alps, means that it must be profitable for their inhabitants so that they do not out-migrate. However, average benefits are only achievable through large economic structures. In turn, they fuel global mobility, are problematic for ecological reasons and often exclude the local population from use. The current division of European societies confirms the historical work on the resource character of social relations (Bourdieu's concept of capital, interpreted as territorial capital) and the positive effect of many but flat lines of conflict in a society (Rokkan's cross-cutting cleavages). In this light, the focus of regional development on a narrowly defined Alpine identity, which refuses to serve the interests of the neighbouring metropolitan regions, appears increasingly counterproductive. On the one hand, because it cancels out the many conflicts in favour of one single deep conflict between extra-Alpine metropolitan regions and an alpine pseudo-rurality, and on the other hand, because it cuts off the peripheral regions from external knowledge, which they need if they want to be sustainable. Social innovations, which are particularly important for sparsely populated regions, only arise if there is an open mind towards external knowledge in addition to regional self-confidence. This is the only way to defend structures and ways of life worth preserving against the majority of the population living outside the Alps. The concept of European macro-regions could offer a way out of the tension between identity and openness, provided that these macro-regions seriously attempt to bridge prosperity gaps and national borders with their geographically wide demarcation. In order to do so, they need sufficient competence and the willingness to shape the relationship between the Alps and the plain in such a way that the interests to work and live in the mountain regions under the special conditions of topography are safeguarded. This will not be possible without cross-subsidisation; to achieve this, mountain areas will have to some extent respond to the needs of urban areas. The task remains to renegotiate relations between the Alps and the plains in order to redefine complementarity between them on the basis of a new territorial solidarity.