ECO4132S - Economics Of Inequality: Causes, Consequences And

14 credits at NQF level 8

Entry Requirements:

ECO4006F, ECO4007F and ECO4016F. PPE (and other) students who do not have to complete the core as part of their degree requirements may be granted permission to register for this elective at the discretion of the Head of Department.

Course Outline:

This course aims to study the causes, consequences and policy implications of income inequality. Strong emphasis is placed on determining the mechanisms through which the persistence of inequality arises. While the primary lens used to analyse this phenomenon is economics, the course also considers the impacts of financial markets, credit and savings, health, education, social networks and political mechanisms. We complement the theory by reviewing relevant empirical findings where possible. The course includes an overview of global inequality, both within and between countries, as well as a strong emphasis on South African inequality.