By: Nancy Birdsall
Download the syllabus (PDF, 225KB)
This syllabus prepared by CGD President Nancy Birdsall for a course she taught in Bologna, Italy, for students of Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) brings together key readings on inequality and development in a globalizing world. The syllabus also provides links to websites that contain data on inequality and globalization and further readings on each topic.
The first section looks at the relationship between within-country inequality and development, dividing readings into those taking an optimistic view of globalization versus doubters and pessimists. In the second section readings focus on the impact of globalization on inequality within and across countries, and whether globalization helps the poor. Readings in the third and final section examine the role of global institutions, global public goods, global governance and a global social contract in addressing the asymmetric impact of globalization both within and across developing countries.