The “Differential” Effects of Economic Crises on Social Inequality: The 2008-2009 Economic Crisis and Mexico
Author: Jaramillo Molina, Máximo E, majm34@hotmail.com
Department: Departamento de Estudios Sociourbanos, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Sociales
University: Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico
Supervisor: Dr. Carlos Barba Solano
Year of completion: 2014
Language of dissertation: Spanish
Keywords:
Inequality
, Crisis
, Vulnerability
, Social Policy
Areas of Research:
Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy
, Social Classes and Social Movements
, Economy and Society
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation is to identify the differential effects of economic crises on different social strata, and examine the dynamics of social inequality during these periods. This research is focused on the 2008 economic crisis and the effect on households in Zapopan (Mexico). We applied methodological triangulation combining: 1) analysis of macroeconomic data, 2) an applied survey, and 3) in-depth interviews for a qualitative approach. We obtained descriptions of the effects of economic crisis and statistical inferences determining the most affected stratum. We concluded that, although Gini coefficient showed a decrease in economic inequality, social inequality increases strongly when a country experiences an economic crisis. This happens because households at the bottom of the social strata suffer the highest damage in these periods, compared with the lower effect on high strata households. Furthermore, the applied social policies does not have a significant effect on reducing the damage caused by the economic crisis.
