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The Gap Between Rich and Poor: South African Society’s Biggest Divide Depends on Where You Think You Fit In

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  • Tiaan MEIRING
  • Catherine KANNEMEYER
  • Elnari POTGIETER

Abstract

In this paper, we consider social cohesion primarily in terms of its absence – “the nature and extent of social and economic divisions within society” (Easterly et al., 2006: 105). We use data from the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation’s South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB) to advance an understanding of what underpins individual perceptions of inequality as the biggest division in South Africa. In particular, our interest is in the relationship between perceived relative standing and registering the gap between rich and poor as the greatest divide in South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Tiaan MEIRING & Catherine KANNEMEYER & Elnari POTGIETER, 2018. "The Gap Between Rich and Poor: South African Society’s Biggest Divide Depends on Where You Think You Fit In," Working Paper ffd19ae8-4b12-4b82-b218-8, Agence française de développement.
    • Handle: RePEc:avg:wpaper:en8791
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    Cited by:

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    2. Misheck Dube, 2019. "Poverty, Gender and Primary Education: Experiences of Learners in Elandskop, KwaZulu Natal," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(5), pages 1-67, May.
    3. Jacobus Johannes de Jongh, 2019. "Understanding the Drivers of Long-Term Youth Unemployment: Micro-Level Evidence from South Africa," Proceedings of International Academic Conferences 9912297, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    4. Julie Trottier, 2018. "Harnessing the commons to govern water as a flow," Post-Print hal-02108227, HAL.
    5. Tawanda Matema & Paul Kariuki, 2022. "The Impact of Social Media on Social Cohesion in South Africa," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12.

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    Keywords

    Afrique du Sud;

    JEL classification:

    • Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics

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