About the course
From religious leaders to heads of state, everyone is talking about economic inequalities. What form can such inequalities take in different countries? What impact do they have on society? And why should they matter to you? This free online course will explore the growing concerns surrounding rising inequalities in income and wealth in developed countries. You’ll scrutinise claims that the baby boomer generation has had it all, in terms of pension deals and affordable houses, while social and political changes have left younger generations struggling to find security for their accommodation and retirement income. You’ll examine the causes and implications of growing economic inequalities and what can be done about them, by individuals, communities and governments.
Whether you're taking this free course on FutureLearn or would like to view a variety of related content on OpenLearn, we've collated a range of academic articles, videos, podcasts and relevant free courses to support your learning and give you a wider perspective on this fascinating subject.
Preparation
Before you start this course you may want to brush up on your Maths, English or Study Skills with our range of free courses.
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Before the course starts
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Working with charts, graphs and tables
When you come across information represented in charts, graphs and tables, you'll need to know how to interpret this information. This free course, Working with charts, graphs and tables, will help you to develop the skills you need to do this. For further study, there's another course titled 'More working with charts, graphs and tables' which ...
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Diagrams, charts and graphs
Diagrams, charts and graphs are used by all sorts of people to express information in a visual way, whether it's in a report by a colleague or a plan from your interior designer. This free course will teach you how to interpret these tools and how to use them yourself to convey information more effectively.
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Take your learning further with our free resources
Find out more about welfare and market economies
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How equal is your equality?
Equality is possible but only if the West gets used to living on less, writes Steven Primrose-Smith.
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The pensions timebomb
Over the last three decades major events, scandals and regulations have shocked the pension system. Have the public lost faith in occupational and private pensions? Should the state pension be enough to see us through our old age? And with the non-working to working ratio continuing to rapidly increase, who will pay? We hear from those that ...
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Dig deeper into housing inequalities
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The housing crash and the man who saw it coming
Professor Nouriel Roubini of Stern Business School discusses how he predicted the financial bubble bursting two years ahead of the crash and was ignored by the sector.
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House prices falling? Don’t bet the bank on it
Even if prices are falling, it looks like generation rent will likely be around for some time to come.
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Discuss: Housing for the working class
Housing has always been a problem for the working class. Fill in our short survey and share your thoughts and memories.
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