In this section:
Inequalities are key to popular images of the world and its challenges, and to justifications for social and political action. The originality of this atlas arises from its focus on a much broader range of inequalities than is considered in contemporary debates. International discussions, conferences and debates about globalization, inequality and poverty sponsored both in academia and by international organizations including the UN and the World Bank tend to focus narrowly on income inequalities usually GDP/capita differences. This atlas goes beyond that focus to include multi-dimensional inequalities in infrastructure, health, environment, education and society.
Most global analysis of social conditions rests on depicting average conditions in the 180 or so countries in the world. Countries are the unit of analysis. Every reader will know that his or her own health, income and existence bears little relation to the average for his or her country. Innovative research and visualization techniques, including the use of household surveys and poverty mapping, begin to get beyond country averages. Wherever data are available, this atlas transcends the focus on country averages to provide charts, maps and other visuals that provide glimpses into the larger picture of within-country inequalities.
The atlas is organized in seven thematic parts, each dealing with a key dimensions of global inequality: economic, power, infrastructure, health, education, environment and social inequalities.
