Eastern Oregon University > Academics > Research explores democracy, inequality and corruption

Research explores democracy, inequality and corruption

‘When more democracy means more inequality’: Colloquium talk highlights correlationcolloquium

Oct. 22, 2019 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Doctor of Environmental and Developmental Economics Peter Maille, Ph.D., presents his fourth Eastern Oregon University Colloquium on Oct. 24.

Each month, EOU highlights faculty research through these academic presentations. This month, Maille will discuss his research about democracy, inequality, corruption and income, beginning at 4 p.m., Thursday in Ackerman Hall, Room 210.

Maille, an economics professor at EOU, said he finds these kind of analytical questions “refreshing.” During a one-year sabbatical, he worked on an essay about a surprising relationship: a correlation between democracy and inequality in countries around the world. At colloquium, he’ll present findings that grew out of this study.

His research, based on a path analysis of the democracy index, the inequality index and the corruption perceptions index, suggests that, “high inequality democracies are associated with elevated corruption, lower per capita income, and a ceiling on democratic achievement.”

After three months of investigative research, Maille developed reasoning toward a conclusion. At his colloquium presentation, “When More Democracy Means More Inequality,” Maille will discuss his findings and propose an explanation for high inequality democracies.

All EOU Colloquium presentations are live streamed. The event is free and open to the public.

Written by PR Intern Briana Rosenkranz.