Economics And Diversity

The bulk of contemporary economics assumes rather than explains differences between people or groups of people. Yet, many of these differences are produced by society or they imply differing opportunities and outcomes. This book argues that economists should concern themselves with the explanation of the social causes and effects of such differences. D’Ippoliti introduces the concept of diversity to summarise all differences that are of social origin and that a theory or model seeks to explain. This contrasts with the traditional concept of heterogeneity that instead refers to differences that are deemed to be exogenous of economic theory. In approaching this, the book ranges from the fields of methodology and history of economics to applied empirical work, as well as gender diversity which is considered in depth. The analysis of the thinking of two major economists of the past, John Stuart Mill and Gustav Schmoller, demonstrates how gender diversity exemplifies some of the fundamental issues in economics, such as the division of labour, society’s capacity to reproduce itself, and the role of social institutions and their impact on individual and collective behaviour. The book maintains that growth of GDP and of the services sector cannot be trusted to automatically bring about greater inclusion of women in the labour market. Active policy interventions are needed, spanning from the removal of discrimination to the provision of public services and the establishment of fair competition in the market, along with an improved division of social and political power between the sexes. This work will be of interest to researchers and students focusing on the history of economic thought, labour economics, social policy and gender studies.

Economic diversity abounds in a more-than-capitalist world, from worker-recuperated cooperatives and anti-mafia social enterprises to caring labour and the work of Earth Others, from fair trade and social procurement to community land trusts, free universities and Islamic finance. The Handbook of Diverse Economies presents research that inventories economic difference as a prelude to building ethical ways of living on our dangerously degraded planet. With contributing authors from twenty countries, it presents new thinking around subjectivity and methodology as strategies for making other worlds possible.

The populations of many countries in the world are becoming more culturally diverse. This spurs a growing need for an informed debate on the socio-economic implications of cultural diversity. This book offers a solid statistical and econometric perspec

The traditional role of evolutionary theory in the social sciences has been to explain the existence of an object in terms of the survival of the fittest. In economics this approach has acted as a justification for hypotheses such as profit maximisation, or the existence of institutions in terms of their overall efficiency. This volume challenges that view and argues that one of the first tasks of economic theory should be to explain the enormous diversity of institutional arrangements that has characterised human societies.

This book offers new perspectives on the concept of diversity and the role diversity can play in the world of work of the future.Scholars and practitioners from various disciplines and backgrounds reflect on the most appropriate interventions to create a more inclusive labour market for all. They explore the economic case for diversity and diversity management strategies, finding that diversity and inclusion must go hand in hand.The authors show that biases and stereotypes that lead to discrimination and violence – whether in blatant or more subtleforms such as microaggressions – are a major impediment to diversity. However, cultural change in the workplace cannotbe obtained with one-off policies and the effectiveness of prodiversity initiatives may depend on variables outside the labourmarket. Legal protections from discrimination and provisions forequal opportunities for “diverse persons” are often not enoughto deliver outcomes of equality and inclusion.The book also sheds light on the policy dilemma between respecting individuals with all their particularities and countering structural inequalities, which often requires categorization into groups. The authors remind us that there is diversity within diversity: not everyone receiving the same label has the same needs.The book covers issues such as gender equality and mainstreaming, migration and ethnic diversity, racism, violence against LGBTI people and age discrimination. Tools used in one area to overcome exclusion are often also applicable in others. The future of diversity is thus a rich source of inspiration for anyone wishing to move towards greater justice in the labour market.

A staunch neoclassical economist, Rosen drew inspiration from Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, particularly his theory of compensating wage differentials, which Rosen felt was central to all economic problems involving product differentiation and spatial considerations. The main theme of his collection is how markets handle diversity, including the determination of value in the presence of diversity, the allocation of idiosyncratic buyers to specialized sellers, and the effects of heterogeneity and sorting on inequality.

Examines broad patterns of development and some economic issues facing Latin American countries. Includes a chapter outlining recurrent patterns of economic development and economic crises throughout the past 500 years.

This book reflects critically on issues of diversity, access, and the expansion of digital technologies in audio-visual industries, particularly in terms of economics and policies. It brings together specialists in cultural diversity and media industries, presenting an international and interdisciplinary collection of essays that draw from different fields of studies – notably Communication, Economics, Political Science and Law. Among the topics discussed are: the principle of diversity as a goal of cultural and communication policies, the assessment of the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity, free trade agreements and the conception of cultural goods and services they advance, the challenges faced by the production, circulation and consumption of cultural content through the Internet, the role algorithms play in the organization and functioning of online platforms, Netflix and the hegemony of global media. The approach is a critical understanding of audio-visual diversity, that aims to transcend specific issues like media ownership, ideas portrayed or modes of consumption as such, to focus on a more balanced distribution of communicative power. This volume is an essential read for scholars and researchers in Communication Studies, Economy of Culture, International Relations and International Law, as well as policy makers, journalists specialized in media and culture, and managers of public and private institutions involved in the development of cultural and communication policies. Postgraduate students will find it a key reference point.