ABSTRACT
Global inequality remains a major characteristic of the contemporary world, and a fundamental political challenge for global governance. Social inequality is a form of social difference between the individuals that comprise the populations of nations and the world as a whole. Yet not all social differences amount to social inequality. The first of these propositions reflects a broad social concern with extreme poverty indicated by very low income and high mortality reproduced over generations. While it is clear that the long-run dynamic of capitalism has raised aggregate economic productivity, incomes, and living standards, both absolute poverty and profound levels of inequality remain. While an integrated account of global inequality remains something of a holy grail, there are some very important recent steps in this direction. Orientations are necessary but sufficient, however, to bring this about, since state capacity, and effective relationships between health providers and communities also matter too.
