Globalization, Poverty and Inequality: What Is the Relationship? What Can Be Done?

The paper studies the relation between globalization, inequality and marginalization, within and across nations. It reviews the existing evidence on globalization and global inequality and argues, using a simple theoretical model, that the two are inter-connected. It discusses policy alternative policies to counter extreme poverty and inequality. The paper takes the view that curbing these, even within one country, requires global, cross-country policies that we do not currently have, and advocates the setting up of an international initiative to coordinate such policies. [Research Paper No. 2005/32]