Ethnic Stratification and Patterns of Income Inequality Around the World: A Cross-National Comparison of 123 Countries, Based on a New Index of Historic Ethnic Exploitation

摘要: Income distributions within countries vary tremendously in global comparison. While income inequality is generally higher the United States than Europe, extreme differences prevail Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. particularly low Scandinavia Central East but also Japan. In last decades, economic between nation states has been declining while within-nation increasing many regions. The purpose of this paper to explain huge international variations within-country inequality, focusing upon role present-day ethnic diversity historic exploitation (slavery)—two aspects rather neglected most comparative sociological research. Three hypotheses about origins factors producing intra-national patterns are formulated tested on basis a newly created aggregate data set 123 countries. Also new indicator measuring scale introduced. our empirical analysis, we describe substantial scale, present evidence for impact current structures as well political institutional both through descriptive regression analyses. results support thesis an exploitation; it can be reduced by redistributive institutions (welfare state, federalism, Communist systems). effect heterogeneity extinguished fully these institutions.