Senior High School

Understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics

Quarter 2 – Module 5
Global Inequality

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics Grade 11/12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 5: Global Inequality
First Edition, 2020

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ii
 Senior High School

Understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics

Quarter 2 – Module 5
Global Inequality

This instructional material was collaboratively developed and reviewed

by educators from public schools. We encourage teachers and other education
stakeholders to email their feedback, comments, and recommendations to the
Department of Education at [email protected]

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Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

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Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in
these modules are owned by their respective copyright holders. The publisher and authors do not represent nor
claim ownership over them. Sincerest appreciation to those who have made significant contributions to these
modules.

iii
 Table of Contents
COVER PAGE ............................................................................................................ i
COPYRIGHT PAGE................................................................................................... ii
TITLE PAGE ............................................................................................................. iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ iv
WHAT THIS MODULE IS ABOUT ............................................................................. v
WHAT I NEED TO KNOW ......................................................................................... v
HOW TO LEARN FROM THIS MODULE ................................................................... v
ICONS OF THIS MODULE ....................................................................................... vi
WHAT I KNOW ........................................................................................................ vii
Lesson 1: Global Inequality ....................................................................................1
What’s In: .............................................................................................1
What’s New: The Global Picture ...........................................................2
What is It: Global Inequality .................................................................2
What’s More: Concept Map ..................................................................5
Bill is Real.......................................................................5
What I Have Learned: Essay ................................................................6
What I Can Do: My Point of View ..........................................................6
Summary ...................................................................................................................7
Assessment ...............................................................................................................8
Key to Answers ........................................................................................................10
References ..............................................................................................................11

iv
 What I Know

PRETEST

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Inequality only exists in our country.

A. True C. Neither true nor false
B. False D. A, B, and C

2. Addressing and reducing global inequality is the responsibility only of the

A. Local level multi-stakeholders
B. National level multi-stakeholders
C. Global level multi-stakeholders
D. Local, national and global level multi-stakeholders

3. The following are the top solutions to income inequality except

A. Job creation C. Tax policy
B. Decline quality of education D. Workforce development

4. It involves the concentration of resources in certain nations, significantly

affecting the opportunities of individuals in poorer and less powerful countries.
A. Economic inequality C. Global inequality
B. Political inequality D. Social inequality

5. It refers to the unequal distribution among nations.

A. Discrimination C. Global stratification
B. Racism D. Prejudice

6. The non-industrialized country is termed as

A. Developing country C. Undeveloped country
B. Developed country D. Underdeveloped country

7. Industrialized country is termed as

A. Developing country C. Underdeveloped country
B. Undeveloped country D. Developed country
8. Equality exists in
A. Communities C. Cities
B. Countries D. A, b, and c

9. It is the state where one is barely able, or unable, to afford necessities

A. Poverty C. Relative poverty
B. Absolute poverty D. Situational poverty

10. The maintenance of political, social, economic, and cultural domination over a
people by a foreign power for an extended period is referred to as:
A. Colonialism C. Stratification
B. Dependency D. Inequality

vii
11. The top solutions to inequality include
A. Social welfare policy C. Tax policy
B. Redistribution D. A, b, and c

12. The following are the causes of global inequality except

A. Natural calamity C. War
B. Innovation D. Lack of education

13. The formation of regional groups can address global inequality.

A. True C. Neither true nor false
B. False D. A, b, and c

14. The following are the effects of global inequality except

A. Crime C. Better access to education
B. Poverty D. Terrorism

15. The following are mechanisms that can address global inequality
A. Bilateral treaties and pacts C. International treaties
B. Formation of regional groups D. A, b, and c

viii
 Lesson Global Inequality
Learning Competency: Suggest ways to address global

1 inequalities
(UCSP11/12HSO-IIe-32)

What’s In

The previous module talked about social inequality. Even in this more
technologically advanced environment, social inequality can still happen. From the
concept notes and the activities given in the module, I hoped that you learned a lot
from it.

Share one (1) social inequality that you have seen, observed, or experienced
and explain how this social inequality affects you and the entire community. Write your
answers in the blank space provided below.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.

1
 What’s New

Activity 1: THE GLOBAL PICTURE

How does inequality look like on a global scale? Draw it inside the cloud. Be
creative.

What Is It

Inequality does not only exist in

our community, in our society, in our
country but also among states. There
are countries that are economically
matured and more powerful than
others and end up to becoming
influential in the global community.
This situation leads to a condition of
global inequality where developing
countries end up being controlled and Image: https://bit.ly/37nqHab
influenced by the developed countries.

The balance of power of states is often rooted in historical events where the
process of colonization in the past led to a relation of unequal dependency between a
former colony and its former colonizer. The case of the Philippines and the United
States is an example of this, where, culturally, economically, and politically, the

2
Philippines is perceived to be under the strong influence of the United States due to
the colonization in the past.

Inequality can also be an outcome of the relative strength of a state as

compared with another in terms of strategic importance or development assistance.
Countries with many resources, for example, oil-producing countries, tend to have
more power. Countries that send official development assistance (ODA) in the form of
loans and grants are in the position to dictate their policy conditions to the countries
who receive their development funds. Countries with rich resources tend to have more
advantage over the others.

Military strength is also a source of inequality where countries with superior

military competence can bully or intimidate the countries with weaker military forces,
just in the issue or the situation in the West Philippine Sea between China and the
Philippines. It is a clear example of this unequal relationship.

Global inequality can also be manifested through transnational business

corporations and organizations that operate globally. These private corporations have
enormous power to influence the economy of the countries where they have
investments. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and Asian
Development Bank (ADB) are also positioned to have huge influence in the policy
directions of countries that are indebted to them since they can dictate economic
policies to comply with their conditionalities for loans granted to countries.

The financial systems of the world have developed unevenly such that an entire
geographical region was left stalled in poverty and illness, while the rest of the world
began to reduce poverty and illness.

According to the World Economic Forum, income inequality is currently the

number one global concern, this is an assessment supported by research suggesting
even economic elites now worry over the impact on society of the escalating wealth
divide. Inequality is one of the key challenges of our time. Income inequality
specifically is one of the most visible aspects of a broader and more complex issue,
one that entails inequality of opportunity and extends to ethnicity, gender, age, and
disability among others.

There are ways to address global inequalities. One of these is the formation of
regional groups, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The
assumption is that the formation of regional groups can provide strength in numbers.
The main disadvantage is despite the presence of regional groups, ASEAN in
particular, individual members may be controlled or limited to provide assistance to
others due to the policy of noninterference, where members are hesitant to intervene
into the foreign and domestic issues of another country.

Another way is to enter bilateral treaties and pacts with other countries, like the
mutual defense agreement between the Philippines and the United States. While this
provides some form of security for the Philippines when the United States can help us
in times of external aggression from another country, it further strengthens our unequal
relations with the United States.

3
 There is the recourse to international treaties and agreements that set
agreements on issues as varied as climate change, transnational crime and
international development. The Philippines is a signatory to these agreements, which
bind other signatories to a standard protocol. Any violation of these agreements can
be used as basis to appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Furthermore, countries need to embrace an integrated program that looks at

the problem across the social, economic and environmental dimensions, as well as
access to education, health care and resources to effectively solve inequality. Vital to
these solutions is a host of interventions that promote equitable access to resources
and services, as well as inclusive growth with descent jobs and livelihoods for all
people within the society. The following are top solutions to inequality.

• Improved Education
• Tax Policy
• Social Welfare Policy
• Redistribution
• Job Creation
• Workforce Development

Addressing inequality is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity. Data

from the Pew Research Center show that people tend to believe governments are
responsible for the wealth gap, but governments cannot solve the problem on their
own. Addressing inequality is good for business as it creates a new demographic of
consumers, thus widening the market for profits and services and increasing profit
opportunities.

Efforts to reduce inequalities and achieve inclusion are a multi-stakeholder

responsibility which will require concerted action at all levels, from local to national,
and regional to global.

4
 What’s More

Activity 2: CONCEPT MAP

Direction: Using the concept map below, give five (5) ways to address global
inequality.

Ways to
address
global
inequality

Activity 3: “BILL” IS REAL.

Direction: If Given the chance to become a lawmaker, propose a “bill” or a policy that
will help solve global inequality. Write the title of the bill or policy and explain what it is
all about.
Title: ______________________________________________________________
Discussion:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Rubric for the Activity

The content and ideas are organized in a clear, logical manner. 5 4 3 2 1

The answer conveys a genuine personal view regarding the topic. 5 4 3 2 1
The work is original and does not contain plagiarized content. 5 4 3 2 1
Total points (15)

5
 What Have I Learned
Activity 4: Reflection Writing
Direction: In writing your reflection, you have to complete the sentence below.

I learned that________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

I realized that________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

If given a chance_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Activity 5: MY POINT OF VIEW (Performance Task)

Read and understand the concept of global inequality thoroughly. Based on

your understanding, look for newspaper clippings, old magazines, recyclable,
localized or indigenous materials or any available materials at home that best explains
the concept of global inequality. Paste it in the box below. Be resourceful and creative.

6
 SUMMARY
• Inequality does not only exist in our community, in our society, in our country
but also among states.

• There are countries that are economically matured and more powerful than
others and end up to becoming influential in the global community.

• Inequality can also be an outcome of the relative strength of a state as

compared with another in terms of strategic importance or development
assistance.

• Countries with many resources tend to have more power. Countries that send
official development assistance (ODA) in the form of loans and grants are in the
position to dictate their policy conditions.

• Military strength is also a source of inequality where countries with superior

military competence can bully the weaker ones.

• Global inequality can also be manifested through transnational business

corporations and organizations that operate globally.

• According to the World Economic Forum, income inequality is currently the

number one global concern, this is an assessment supported by research
suggesting even economic elites now worry over the impact on society of the
escalating wealth divide.

• One of the mechanisms involve which can address global inequality is the
formation of regional groups, such as the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). The assumption is that the formation of regional groups can
provide strength in numbers within the group.

• Another venue is to enter bilateral treaties and pacts with other countries, like
the mutual defense agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

• There is the recourse to international treaties and agreements that set

agreements on issues as varied as climate change, transnational crime and
international development. The Philippines is a signatory to these agreements,
which bind other signatories to a standard protocol. Any violation of these
agreements can be used as basis to appeal to the International Court of Justice
(ICJ).

• Efforts to reduce inequalities and achieve inclusion are a multi-stakeholder

responsibility which will require concerted action at all levels, from local to
national, and regional to global.

7
 ASSESSMENT

POSTTEST

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Income inequality is an intensifying worry for the economic elites over the
impact on the society of the escalating wealth divide.
A. True C. Neither true nor false
B. False D. A, B, and C

2. Aside from wealth, what are the other sources of inequality.

A. Military strength C. Transnational corporations
B. Rich resources D. All of the above

3. The following are the top solutions to income inequality except

A. Reciprocity C. Redistribution
B. Social welfare policy D. Job creation

4. The gap between the rich and the poor can be classified as
A. Economic inequality C. Global inequality
B. Political inequality D. Social inequality

5. Inequality is a global issue.

A. False C. Neither true nor false
B. True D. A, B, and C

6. In the past, the non-industrialized country was also called

A. First World country C. Third World country
B. Second World country D. Fourth World country

7. In the past, the industrialized country was also called

A. First World country C. Third World country
B. Second World country D. Fourth World country

8. Equality exists in
A. Rural areas only C. Neither A nor B
B. Urban areas only D. Both A and B

9. The following are challenges closely related to inequality except

A. Poverty C. Persistent unemployment
B. Improved education D. Violence

10. The situation in the West Philippine Sea between China and the Philippines is
an example of an unequal relationship between nations.
A. True C. Neither true nor false
B. False D. A, B, and C

8
11. The following are top solutions to inequality except
A. Job Creation C. Tax Policy
B. Job Description D. Social welfare policy

12. The following are the causes of global inequality except

A. Natural calamity and war
B. Innovation and technology advancement
C. Lack of education and poverty
D. Wealth and rich resources

13. The formation of alliances to other countries and entering into treaties and
agreements can address global inequality.
A. True C. Neither true nor false
B. False D. A, b, and c

14. Only the government can solve inequality.

A. True C. Neither true nor false
B. False D. A, b, and c

15. The following are mechanisms that can address global inequality
A. Bilateral treaties and pacts C. A only
B. Formation of regional groups D. A and B