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Inequality and Democracy

Rutger Claassen, Michael Bennett, and Yara Salman

Most countries are getting more and more unequal. But the core of democracy is political equality: that everyone should have an equal say in how their country is run. Can we really expect these things to go together? Can people have equal political power while economic inequality grows and grows? Take this course and decide for yourself.

You’ll learn about:

• The rise of economic inequality

• Property rights and the corporation

• Democracy: Its value and history

• Campaign finance and lobbying

• Tax avoidance and capital flight

• Alternatives to our economic system

You’ll learn about:

• The rise of economic inequality

• Property rights and the corporation

• Democracy: Its value and history

• Campaign finance and lobbying

• Tax avoidance and capital flight

• Alternatives to our economic system

This is an interdisciplinary course combining:

• Politics

• Philosophy

• Economics

• History

• Law

Our course is for anyone looking for an accessible introduction to these topics. You might a concerned citizen, or someone who works in a field like politics, media, education, government or law. The difficulty level is similar to the first-year of an undergraduate degree. No prior knowledge is assumed.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Economic inequality

Property and corporations

Democracy

Lobbying and campaign finance

Capital flight and tax avoidance

Alternative economic institutions

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers a timely and thought-provoking topic: the tension between economic inequality and political equality

Examines the historical and economic roots of inequality, delving into a range of perspectives

Provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying concepts of democracy, political power, and economic inequality

Taught by instructors with extensive experience in political philosophy, economics, and law, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter

Engages with cutting-edge research and diverse viewpoints on the relationship between economic and political equality

Course structure allows learners to delve into a range of topics without requiring extensive background knowledge in any one area

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Reviews summary

Highly rated inequality course

Learners say this course is an excellent course that is great to take in order to understand inequality and democracy in our society. Learners urge others to take this course.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Inequality and Democracy with these activities:

Review basic concepts of economics

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Review key economic concepts covered in prerequisites to refresh knowledge prior to beginning the course.

Browse courses on Economic Principles

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Identify key concepts from previous courses, textbooks, or study materials
Review and practice solving basic economic problems
Summarize key concepts and equations

Review core concepts in political science

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Establish a strong foundation in political science concepts to enhance understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Political Science

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Review textbooks, lecture notes, or online resources
Summarize key theories and concepts
Discuss concepts with classmates or a study group

Read and review "The Spirit Level"

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Gain insights from a comprehensive study on the relationship between economic inequality and social well-being.

View The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key arguments and evidence
Summarize the main findings and their implications
Discuss the book's ideas with classmates or a book club

Five other activities

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Explore interactive simulations on economic inequality

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Gain a hands-on understanding of how economic inequality affects individuals and societies.

Browse courses on Economic Inequality

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Identify and access interactive simulations related to economic inequality
Run the simulations and observe the outcomes
Analyze the results and draw conclusions

Solve practice problems on economic inequality

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Reinforce understanding of concepts related to economic inequality through practice problems.

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Find practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or the course syllabus
Solve the problems independently or in a study group
Check answers and identify areas for improvement

Participate in a peer discussion group

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives and enhance understanding.

Browse courses on Economic Inequality

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Join or form a peer discussion group
Prepare talking points and questions for discussions
Actively participate in discussions and share insights

Develop a presentation on the impact of economic inequality

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Deepen understanding of the broader implications of economic inequality by creating a presentation.

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Research and gather data on the impact of economic inequality
Organize and structure the presentation
Create slides or visual aids to support the presentation
Practice delivering the presentation

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Organize and synthesize course materials to enhance retention and preparation.

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Gather and review lecture notes, readings, and assignments
Identify key concepts and organize them into a logical structure
Include summaries, examples, and practice questions

Career center

Learners who complete Inequality and Democracy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policies. They provide advice and recommendations to policymakers on a variety of issues. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Policy Analyst by providing a deep understanding of the political process, economics, and social issues. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on policies related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Campaign Manager

A Campaign Manager organizes and executes political campaigns for candidates running for office. They develop campaign strategy, manage budgets, and oversee campaign staff. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Campaign Manager by providing a deep understanding of the political process, campaign finance, and lobbying. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on campaigns focused on economic inequality or political reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Campaign Manager

Political Consultant

A Political Consultant provides advice and guidance to political candidates, campaigns, and organizations. They help develop campaign strategy, conduct polls, and manage media relations. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Political Consultant by providing a deep understanding of the political process, campaign finance, and lobbying. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on campaigns or advising organizations focused on economic inequality or political reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Consultant

Lobbyist

A Lobbyist represents the interests of organizations or individuals before government officials. They advocate for specific policies or legislation. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Lobbyist by providing a deep understanding of the political process, campaign finance, and lobbying. This course is especially useful for those interested in lobbying on issues related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lobbyist

Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager oversees the operations of a nonprofit organization. They may be responsible for fundraising, program development, and staff management. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Nonprofit Manager by providing a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, the political process, and economic inequality. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on issues related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Journalist

A Journalist researches, writes, and reports on news and current events. They may specialize in a particular topic, such as politics or economics. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Journalist by providing a deep understanding of the political process, economics, and social issues. This course is especially useful for those interested in reporting on economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Lawyer

A Lawyer advises and represents clients on legal matters. They may specialize in a particular area of law, such as corporate law or public interest law. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Lawyer by providing a deep understanding of the legal system, the political process, and social issues. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on cases related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Political Science Professor

A Political Science Professor teaches and researches political science. They may specialize in a particular area of political science, such as American politics or comparative politics. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Political Science Professor by providing a deep understanding of the political process, political theory, and comparative politics. This course is especially useful for those interested in teaching or researching economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Science Professor

Social Worker

A Social Worker helps people cope with social and economic problems. They may work with individuals, families, or groups. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Social Worker by providing a deep understanding of social issues, the political process, and economic inequality. This course is especially useful for those interested in working with populations affected by economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Economist

An Economist studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may specialize in a particular area of economics, such as macroeconomics or labor economics. This course can help build a foundation for a career as an Economist by providing a deep understanding of economic theory and policy. This course is especially useful for those interested in researching or working on policies related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Community Organizer

A Community Organizer works with community members to identify and address social and economic problems. They may organize protests, develop community programs, and advocate for policy changes. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Community Organizer by providing a deep understanding of social issues, the political process, and economic inequality. This course is especially useful for those interested in organizing communities around issues related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Urban Planner

An Urban Planner develops and implements plans for the use of land and resources in urban areas. They may work on projects such as zoning, transportation, and housing. This course can help build a foundation for a career as an Urban Planner by providing a deep understanding of the political process, economics, and social issues. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on urban planning projects related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and its interactions with humans. They may research pollution, climate change, or natural resource management. This course can help build a foundation for a career as an Environmental Scientist by providing a deep understanding of the environment, the political process, and economic inequality. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on environmental issues related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist manages the public image of an organization or individual. They may develop and implement public relations campaigns, write press releases, and manage media relations. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Public Relations Specialist by providing a deep understanding of the media, the political process, and economic inequality. This course is especially useful for those interested in working on public relations campaigns related to economic inequality or corporate power.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Teacher

A Teacher educates students in a variety of subjects. They may teach at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Teacher by providing a deep understanding of the educational system, the political process, and economic inequality. This course is especially useful for those interested in teaching about social issues, politics, or economics.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Inequality and Democracy.

The Inner Level

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between economic inequality and a range of social problems, including health, education, and crime. It valuable resource for understanding the negative consequences of inequality and the importance of promoting equality.

The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce...

Paperback

收入不平等：為何他人過得越好，我們越焦慮？: The Inner Level: How More...

Inequality and Democracy

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Highly rated inequality course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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