The emerging debate on inequalities
As inequalities become increasingly pronounced, and especially so in wealthier countries, there is a need to study associated changes in the social, political and cultural domains. The 'Growing inequalities' impacts' (GINI) project was set up to separate and underline the issues at hand. Project objectives focused on three broad areas relevant to the emerging international debate: different dimensions and the precise nature of various inequalities, impacts and policies. Since the 1980s, income inequality has increased in most of the developed world. Country studies revealed significant variations in the ways and extent to which individual nations have attempted to alleviate associated pressures or to handle their consequences. Researchers also examined country-specific differences concerning educational inequalities, and social as well as political and cultural impacts of increasing inequalities in income, wealth and education. Another research focus was on redistributive and educational policies. Project results were mainly disseminated through the concluding conference, circulation of a summary of results (also available on the project website), and a special workshop organised by the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Five policy papers, presented at the workshop, were written for the Directorate-General. GINI partners generated extensive knowledge on the topic of inequalities with regard to income, earnings and education, and presented a diverse set of policy conclusions. These cover, among others, policies related to the welfare state, unemployment and active labour market policies, exclusion, resourcing policies and education.
