By: Luis Ferreira Alvarez, MPA, Cornell University ’14
Abstract
Economic inequality not only affects a country’s economic performance, but also its political regime. While previous studies have shown the correlation between economic inequality and political instability, a detailed case study is lacking. The Brazilian and French experiences with this phenomenon illustrate in detail the relationship between inequality and instability. The paper shows that if economic inequality is left unchecked, it can lead to political breakdown.
About the Author
Luis Ferreira Alvarez recieved his Master of Public Administration at Cornell University, concentrating in government, politics, and policy studies with a focus on Latin America. He interned at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City and the Inter-American Dialogue, a policy think tank that focuses on US-Latin America relations in Washington, DC. He holds a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.