Towards a Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities between Europe and Latin America

This open access volume identifies the common and specific aspects of social mechanisms that generate inequalities, through comparative analyses of different dimensions in which inequalities are expressed. It includes studies on social inequalities in 5 European and 5 Latin American countries, along 11 thematic axes: inequalities in the labour market and labour trajectories; asymmetries in the relationship between training and employment; inequalities in work and family life; educational inequalities; geographical and social inequalities: ethnicity and language; social inequalities, migration and space; uncertainty, strategies, resources and capabilities; inequality of opportunity: intergenerational social mobility; social policies; gender inequalities; and research methodology. This volume is the result of a large collaborative project on social inequality funded by the European Commission: the International Network for Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities. Taking into account diverse perspectives and approximations, the collaborators have created a general analytical framework as a model of analysis of social inequalities. The various contributions in this volume help readers gain a global outlook and help reflect on social inequalities in a comparative perspective. This volume addresses social science graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, social policy makers, as well as a broader academic audience interested in social inequality.-- Provided by publisher Acknowledgments Contents Editors and Contributors About the Editors Contributors Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: A General Model for the Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities Between Europe and Latin America 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The INCASI Project 1.3 The AMOSIT Model for the Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities Between Europe and Latin America 1.3.1 Social Inequalities from a Comparative Perspective 1.3.2 Analytical Model on Social Inequalities and Trajectories (AMOSIT) 1.3.2.1 Inequalities in the Labour Market and Labour Trajectories 1.3.2.2 Educational Inequalities 1.3.2.3 Asymmetries in the Relationship Between Training and Employment 1.3.2.4 Inequalities in Work and Family Life 1.3.2.5 Social Inequalities, Migration and Space 1.3.2.6 Uncertainty, Strategies, Resources and Capabilities 1.3.2.7 Inequality of Opportunity: Intergenerational Social Mobility 1.3.2.8 Linking the Thematic Lines of Research 1.4 Structure and Contents of the Book References Chapter 2: Social Models for Dealing with Inequalities 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Conceptualisation 2.2.1 Pre-distributive Institutions 2.2.2 Post-distributive Institutions 2.2.3 Coordinated and Uncoordinated Economies 2.2.3.1 Strong Neo-Corporatism 2.2.3.2 Mixed Coordination 2.2.3.3 Uncoordinated Economies 2.2.3.4 Latin America, the Burden of Informality 2.3 Analysis Model 2.4 Results: A Comparative Study 2.4.1 Context and Trends of Inequalities 2007–2017 2.4.1.1 Changes in Inequalities 2.4.2 Comparison of Models: Differentiation Factors 2.4.3 Similarities and Dissimilarities Between Social Models 2.4.3.1 Cluster of Latin American Countries: Uncoordinated Informal Economies 2.4.3.2 Cluster of Neo-Corporatist Coordinated Economies 2.4.3.3 Liberal Cluster: Uncoordinated Economies 2.4.3.4 Cluster of Mixed or Semi-Coordinated Economies 2.5 Conclusions 2.5.1 European Trends in Pre-distributive Policies 2.5.2 Discussion References Part II: Labour and Educational Inequalities Chapter 3: Comparing Inequalities in the Labour Market from a Segmentation Perspective 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Characterisation of European and Latin American Labour Markets 3.3 Inequality in the Labour Market from the Perspective of Segmentation 3.4 Comparative Analysis of Labour Market Segmentation in Spain and Argentina 3.4.1 The Context of the Spanish Labour Market 3.4.2 The Context of the Argentinian Labour Market 3.4.3 Analysis Model and Methodology 3.4.4 Results of Segmentation Analysis in Spain and Argentina 3.4.4.1 Labour Segmentation Factors 3.4.4.2 Types of Labour Segmentation 3.5 Conclusions Appendix References Chapter 4: Education and Inequality in Finland, Spain and Brazil 4.1 Introduction 4.2 International Comparison of Education 4.3 Historical and Economic Context 4.3.1 Educational Level 4.3.2 PISA Results 4.3.3 Unequal Opportunities in PISA and Social Origin 4.4 Education in Finland 4.4.1 Neoliberal Turn in Education Policies 4.4.2 Education and (In)equality 4.5 Educational Inequalities in Spain 4.6 Brazil: A Maxi Educational Inequality 4.6.1 A Triple Segregation 4.6.2 Higher Education in Brazil 4.7 Conclusions Appendix References Chapter 5: Digital Revolution and Sociocultural Change 5.1 Introduction: The Role of the Digital Economy and Policies to Universalise Its Positive Effects 5.2 Methodology: Advantages and Limitations of a Comparison Between Countries 5.3 Changes to Businesses, Employment and Everyday Life 5.3.1 In Businesses and Employment 5.3.2 Everyday Life and Technologies (Internet, Mobile Phones, Digital Networks) 5.4 Society’s Possible Response to the Fourth Technological Revolution 5.4.1 What Policies and Regulations Are Desirable in Relation to Employment? 5.4.2 A New Concept of School and Education Is Required 5.4.3 Elements for Understanding the Sociocultural Change that Will Come with the Technological Revolution 5.5 Conclusions References Press Links Part III: Social Stratification and Mobility Chapter 6: The Measurement of Social Stratification: Comparative Perspectives Between Europe and Latin America 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Comparative and Historical Overviews 6.3 A Theoretical-Methodological Framework for Comparative Social Stratification 6.4 Class Structure by Sex in European and Latin American INCASI Countries 6.5 Compared Social Classes: Method and Contrast of Contents 6.5.1 Income 6.5.2 Seniority in Employment 6.5.3 Labour Market Sectors and Company Size 6.5.4 Education 6.5.5 Subjective Perception of Income 6.6 Validation of Social Classes Through Latent Class Analysis 6.7 Conclusions Appendix: Main Characteristics of the Data Sources References Chapter 7: Social Mobility from a Comparative Perspective Between Europe and Latin America 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Theoretical Perspectives and Previous Studies in Europe and Latin America 7.2.1 Social Mobility in Industrialised Countries 7.2.2 Social Mobility and Development in Latin America 7.3 Definitions, Data and Methodology 7.3.1 Definition of Social Classes 7.3.2 Data 7.3.3 Models and Techniques 7.3.3.1 Absolute Mobility 7.3.3.2 Relative Mobility: Rigidity and Fluidity 7.3.3.3 Relative Mobility: Distances Between Social Classes 7.4 Results 7.4.1 Absolute Mobility 7.4.2 Relative Mobility: Rigidity and Fluidity 7.4.3 Social Distances 7.4.3.1 Relative Mobility: Distances Between Intra-Country RCII Classes 7.4.3.2 Distances Between Inter-Country RCII Classes 7.4.3.3 Distances Between RCII Classes: Inheritance 7.5 Summary and Conclusions 7.6 Discussion Appendix 7.1 Characteristics of the Sample Used and Employment Rates Per Country and Year Appendix 7.2 Vertical Mobility in 3 Macro-Classes (I + II; III a VI and VIIa+VIIb) Appendix 7.3 Distance in Odds Ratio Between Inter-Country Classes. Access by Farm Labourers to Other Classes References Chapter 8: Migration and Social Mobility Between Argentina and Spain: Climbing the Social Hierarchy in the Transnational Space 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Migration-Social Mobility Connection: An Issue for Debate 8.3 Methodological Challenges: Data and Analysis Techniques 8.4 Migrations in Spain and Argentina Within the Regional Context (Europe and Latin America): A Tale of Comings and Goings 8.5 Immigration and Social Mobility in Argentina and Spain 8.6 The Social Mobility Strategies of Migrant Families Addressed Through Compared Case Analysis: Comings and Goings Between Galicia and Buenos Aires 8.7 Conclusions References Chapter 9: Changes in Economic Inequality in Europe and Latin America in the First Decades of the Twenty-First Century 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Conceptualizations 9.3 Comparative Study of Countries from Latin America and Europe 9.4 Relation Between Inequality and the Primary and Secondary Sources of Income Distribution 9.5 Factorial and Temporal Breakdown of Inequality 9.6 Conclusions References Part IV: Life Trajectories and Gender Inequality Chapter 10: Theoretical-Methodological Elements for Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities in Life Courses 10.1 The Longitudinal Dimension of Social Inequalities 10.1.1 Study of Inequalities: Between Structure and Social Action 10.1.2 Life Course Transitions as Excellent Vantage Points for Observing Inequalities and Social Protection Actions 10.2 A Qualitative and Comparative Narrative-Biographical Perspective 10.2.1 The Narrative-Biographical Approach 10.2.2 Case Studies as a Strategy for the Analysis of Comparative Life Stories 10.3 Application of the Theoretical-Methodological Proposal to the Comparison of Career Paths in Argentina and Spain 10.3.1 Brief Presentation of the Research Conducted in Argentina and Spain 10.3.2 Intra-Configurative Biographical Analysis: Presentation of the Case Studies 10.3.2.1 Case 1: Enrique’s Career Path 10.3.2.2 Case 2: Rubén’s Career Path 10.3.2.3 Case 3: Andrés’ Career Path 10.3.2.4 Case 4: Begoña’s Career Path 10.3.3 The Inter-Configurative Biographical Analysis: Case Comparison as an Analytical Key 10.4 Final Thoughts. The Development of an International Comparative Perspective Based on Analysis of Unequal Life Courses Appendix 1. Enrique (49): Craft Worker–Crane Operator Appendix 2. Rubén (44). Precariousness Path without a Craft Appendix 3. Andrés (46): Craft Worker–Subway Company Appendix 4. Begoña (38): Precariousness Path without a Craft–Retailing Company References Chapter 11: Social Times, Reproduction and Social Inequality at Work: Contrasts and Comparative Perspectives Between Countries 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Theoretical-Methodological Considerations 11.3 General Comparative Overview of the Countries 11.4 Comparative Analysis of the Gaps in Domestic and Care Work 11.5 Analysis Results 11.6 Conclusions References Chapter 12: Recent Evolutions of Gender, State Feminism and Care Models in Latin America and Europe 12.1 Introduction 12.2 State Feminism 12.2.1 Woman-Friendliness of (EU) Institutions after the Second Feminist Wave: Truths and Myths 12.2.2 State Feminism under (UN International) Control in Latin America 12.3 Gender and Welfare State Systems 12.3.1 Variations and Trends in European Union Care Regimes 12.3.2 Variations and Trends in Latin American Care Regimes 12.4 Times of Feminist Troubles and Struggles in Growing Neo-Liberal and Authoritarian Environments 12.4.1 The Recent Shift in Gender Equality Policies 12.4.2 Institutional Failures and (South American) Street Feminism Riposte 12.5 Conclusions References Part V: Social Policies Chapter 13: Unemployment Benefits: Discursive Convergence, Distant Realities 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Models and Institutions of Unemployment Protection 13.2.1 Conceptualisation 13.2.1.1 Functions of Unemployment Benefit Systems 13.2.2 Analysis of the Compared Models 13.2.2.1 Social-Democratic Scandinavian Model 13.2.2.2 Bismarck Protection Model 13.2.2.3 Mediterranean Protection Model 13.2.2.4 Latin American Models of Unemployment Benefit 13.2.3 Classification of Unemployment Protection Models 13.2.3.1 Analysis of Similarities and Differences 13.2.3.2 Cluster 1: Liberal and Latin-American Countries—Low Unemployment Protection 13.2.3.3 Cluster 2: Germanic Area—High Unemployment Protection 13.2.3.4 Cluster 3: Scandinavian Neocorporatist and Southern Bismarkian Countries 13.2.3.5 Cluster 4: Eastern Countries Model 13.2.4 Summary: Argentina and Uruguay Versus Spain and Italy 13.3 Compared Unemployment Protection: Argentina, Uruguay, Spain and Italy 13.3.1 Unemployment Benefits in Argentina 13.3.2 Unemployment Benefits in Uruguay 13.3.3 Welfare Subsidies in Argentina and Uruguay 13.3.4 Unemployment Protection in Spain and Italy 13.3.5 Welfare Subsidies in Spain and Italy 13.3.6 Trends in the Reforms of Unemployment Protection 13.3.6.1 Common Trends and Differences Between Spain and Italy 13.3.6.2 Common Features of the Reform Trends in Argentina and Uruguay 13.4 Conclusions Appendix References Chapter 14: Pension Systems Compared: A Polarised Perspective, a Diverse Reality 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Social Protection in the Context of Global Economies 14.2.1 The Neoliberalism Crisis: A Change of Paradigm in Europe? 14.2.2 Re-reforms in Latin America 14.3 Classification of Pension Regimes 14.4 European Convergence in the Reform Policies of the Welfare State 14.4.1 Limits in Policies 14.4.2 Some Shared Elements in the pension reforms 14.5 Characteristics and Reforms of the Pension Systems 14.5.1 Pension Reforms in Spain: The Toledo Pact 14.5.2 Trends in the United Kingdom 14.5.3 Characteristics of the Reforms in Chile 14.5.4 The Welfare System in Argentina 14.5.5 Comparative Summary 14.6 Conclusions 14.6.1 Final Discussion References Part VI: Conclusions Chapter 15: By Way of Summary: Substantive Contributions and Public Policies for Dealing with Social Inequalities 15.1 Substantive Contributions and Public Policies 15.1.1 About Social Models 15.1.2 Labour and Educational Inequalities 15.1.2.1 Segmented Labour Markets 15.1.2.2 Inequalities in Compared Educational Systems 15.1.2.3 Sociocultural Changes of the Digital Revolution 15.1.3 Social Stratification and Mobility 15.1.3.1 Measuring Social Stratification 15.1.3.2 Comparative Social Mobility 15.1.3.3 Migration, Social Mobility and Transnational Space 15.1.3.4 Economic Inequality 15.1.4 Life Trajectories and Gender Inequality 15.1.4.1 The Life Course Perspective for the Analysis of Social Inequalities 15.1.4.2 Social Times, Reproduction and Social Inequality at Work 15.1.4.3 Gender and Care Models 15.1.5 Social Policies 15.1.5.1 Unemployment Benefit Schemes 15.1.5.2 Compared Pension Systems 15.2 Towards a Research Programme References