Institutional Mechanisms of Global Inequality Reproduction

Fehl C, Freistein K. Institutional Mechanisms of Global Inequality Reproduction. SFB 882 Working Paper Series. Vol 37. Bielefeld: DFG Research Center (SFB) 882 From Heterogeneities to Inequalities; 2014.In the field of International Relations, some extent of disciplinary agreement exists that inequalities matter to global political outcomes. Yet, it is striking that the very term “inequality” does not occupy a central position in the vocabulary of IR theorists and a shared conceptual framework to compare different dimensions of inequality is so far missing. Similarly, for research about social inequalities, the dimension of global relations has not played a major role, so far. Ideas to formulate a theory of global inequality have been proposed , yet not systematically explored. The paper argues in favour of broadening inequality research to the realm of the global. The main focus of the paper is on (in)equality in institutional orders, proposing that international organisations and institutions can alleviate but also perpetuate and deepen inequalities among state and/or non-state actors. Which processes within organised forums contribute to the production or mitigation of inequalities and thus function as mechanisms is a further key question of the paper