en-us http://www.globaldashboard.org/2011/08/04/why-is-inequality-falling-in-latin-america/ Comments from Why is inequality falling in Latin America? http://www.globaldashboard.org/2011/08/04/why-is-inequality-falling-in-latin-america/#IDComment181553387Disclaimer: I have not read the actual studies... However, I find intriguing that they seem to focus on issues such as education, minimum wage, cash transfer, and similar arrangements, rather than why those arrangements became politically viable. When it comes to education, I also wonder why the link between education and a relevant is apparently not explored in further detail. Economists have long troubled themselves with the apparent paradox that in developing countries with huge returns to education, people appears to be uninterested in education. Of course, the reason may be simple: The return to education is superficial, the higher salaries may be a privilege locked in to the position in question, rather than connected with the productivity of the educated employee. Further, the seemingly lack of motivation may simply be a lack of realistic chance of getting a privileged position unless you already belong to a privileged social segment. Douglass North writes in length about how elites seems to bargain for privileges, official or unofficial, in what he terms 'natural states' or limited access orders. Perhaps the declining inequality in certain Latin american countries is simply an effect of the country moving towards the doorstep conditions to open access? Tue, 9 Aug 2011 14:41:25 +0000http://www.globaldashboard.org/2011/08/04/why-is-inequality-falling-in-latin-america/#IDComment181553387