This book can be opened with

Note on our eBooks and Audiobooks: you can read our eBooks (ePUB or PDF) and listen to audiobooks on the free Emerald Books app on iOS, Android, and desktop. Or read and listen on Emerald's online reader (ePUB eBooks and audiobooks only). To purchase a digital book you will need to create an account if you don’t already have one. After purchasing you will receive instructions on how to get started.
This multidisciplinary volume explores the multifaceted nature of inequality in Jamaica and other Latin American and Caribbean countries, offering nuanced solutions to address the persistently high inequality in the Global South. With a critical focus on Jamaica given its high levels of inequality linked to crime, social discontent, and persistent poverty, the collection also considers the broader context of Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the region's heterogeneity and the unique challenges faced by different countries.
The book demonstrates that inequality is not confined to the distribution of income (which largely dominates the literature), but also affects access to technological advancement, gender justice, time allocation in the household between men and women, and human rights consideration for young people. The contributors offer evidence-based solutions to address inequality in the Global South.
By examining the intersection of various domains such as human rights, youth empowerment, technology, and gender disparity, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of how these dimensions interact and affect different demographic groups. Intersecting Inequalities in Jamaica and Beyond is essential reading for policymakers, academics, and anyone interested in understanding and addressing the root causes of inequality in the Global South.
Foreword; Rose-Marie Belle Antoine
Intersecting Inequalities in Jamaica and Beyond: Policy Solutions for the Global South makes the case for studying Inequality as a top developmental issue. The text looks at the anatomy of inequality in the Latin American and Caribbean region, a place infamous for levels of economic inequality. It makes a compelling case for policies that can be used to reduce levels of inequality. The text provides sensible policy recommendations that, if adopted, will make the region a better place. The book is a must read for policymakers at all levels of governance who are working to improve our lived experiences.
This is a timely study given the persistent high levels of inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC); while a large body of research exists on inequality in Latin America, the Caribbean has been relatively neglected. This is especially true of Jamaica, on which the book focusses, a country with historically and persistent high inequality. The early chapters will be of most interest to general readers. Williams, Benfield and Leslie set the context and show how remittances can reduce the growth-reducing effects of inequality in LAC countries; Joseph and Bollers review the historical determinants of inequality in LAC; while Smith and Williams demonstrate the gradual reduction of inequality in Jamaica since 2000. The remaining chapters focus on initiatives to reduce inequality in the Caribbean, especially Jamaica, including national service schemes as community work programmes, social protection and justice to reduce child poverty, and harnessing digital and AI technology to promote inclusion. The book contributes to addressing inequality in the Caribbean.
Intersecting Inequalities in Jamaica and Beyond: Policy Solutions for the Global South is a timely and compelling contribution to the literature on inequality. It offers a rigorous yet accessible examination of the structural, social, and technological forces that shape inequality across Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider Global South. The book combines strong empirical analysis with clear policy relevance, addressing issues ranging from poverty, education, and child welfare to digital access and artificial intelligence. Its interdisciplinary approach and grounding in regional realities make it especially valuable for policymakers, academics, and development practitioners seeking evidence-based solutions to persistent and emerging inequalities. This book stands out as an authoritative and forward-looking resource that deepens understanding while offering practical pathways for inclusive and sustainable development.
Intersecting Inequalities in Jamaica and Beyond is a timely and essential contribution to understanding the complex forces shaping equity in the Global South. By blending rigorous research with actionable policy insights, this volume offers a roadmap for addressing systemic disparities in education, technology, and social mobility. It is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone committed to building inclusive societies.
Kevin Williams is a Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), The UWI, Mona Campus, Jamaica.
Dacia L. Leslie is a Senior Research Fellow and Chair of the Crime Prevention and Offender Management Research Cluster hosted by SALISES, The UWI, Mona Campus, Jamaica.
Warren A. Benfield is a Development Economist and Associate Professor of Economics at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, USA.