Equality practice questions.

The concept of 'intersectionality' is most accurately described as:

• The idea that all forms of inequality can ultimately be reduced to underlying class conflict
• The idea that overlapping identities such as race, gender and class produce distinct experiences of discrimination
• The policy of setting numerical quotas for underrepresented groups in parliaments
• The point at which two Lorenz curves cross in inequality measurement

Answer: The idea that overlapping identities such as race, gender and class produce distinct experiences of discrimination

Intersectionality holds that axes of disadvantage interact rather than simply add up — a Black woman's experience of discrimination differs from that captured by racism or sexism alone.

A country's income Gini coefficient rises from 0.30 to 0.55 over two decades. Which conclusion is most accurate?

• Absolute poverty in the country has necessarily increased
• Average income in the country has fallen
• The country's income distribution has become more equal
• Income inequality in the country has increased substantially

Answer: Income inequality in the country has increased substantially

The Gini coefficient measures only the distribution of income (0 = perfect equality, 1 = maximal inequality); it says nothing directly about poverty levels or average income.

Which UN treaty, adopted in 1979, is dedicated specifically to eliminating discrimination against women?

• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
• The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Answer: The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

CEDAW, often called the international bill of rights for women, obliges ratifying states to eliminate discrimination against women in public and private life; many states have entered reservations.

Which statement about the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is accurate?

• It is a binding treaty that all UN member states are required to ratify
• It established an international court for indigenous land claims
• It is a non-binding declaration on self-determination and free, prior and informed consent
• It transferred full legal sovereignty over all indigenous territories to the United Nations

Answer: It is a non-binding declaration on self-determination and free, prior and informed consent

UNDRIP is soft law: it sets influential standards — including free, prior and informed consent for projects affecting indigenous land — but creates no directly enforceable legal obligations.

According to Johan Galtung, 'structural violence' refers to:

• Physical violence carried out by uniformed state security forces against peaceful protesters
• Harm built into social structures that prevent groups from meeting basic needs
• The deliberate destruction of physical infrastructure during war
• Rioting triggered by government austerity policies

Answer: Harm built into social structures that prevent groups from meeting basic needs

Structural violence is built into institutions and social arrangements rather than committed by an identifiable actor; avoidable deaths from poverty or exclusion are its typical examples.

In the study of inequality, 'horizontal inequality' refers to inequality:

• Between culturally defined groups, such as ethnic or religious ones
• Between individuals ranked purely by their income
• Between different generations within the same family
• Between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government

Answer: Between culturally defined groups, such as ethnic or religious ones

Horizontal inequality compares groups (ethnic, religious, regional), whereas vertical inequality compares individuals or households; the distinction matters because group-based inequality is strongly linked to conflict.