Inequality often has a self-reinforcing dynamic. This is one of the key research findings from the first seven years of the Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" at the University of Konstanz. Underestimating inequality can weaken political support for corrective measures, low levels of education can reduce political participation and political decisions may further entrench existing inequalities. In the second funding phase, the cluster concentrates more on dynamics that reduce inequality: When is inequality perceived as unfair? When does this perception lead to political mobilization against existing inequalities? And under what circumstances do policymakers respond with measures that actually reduce structural inequalities?

"The reduction of inequality is not an automatic process but depends on specific political conditions", says Marius R. Busemeyer, speaker of the Cluster of Excellence, in the latest issue of the In_equality magazine: Future Perspectives. The central research question of the second funding phase addresses precisely this challenge: Under what conditions can the cycle of self-reinforcing inequality be broken and transformed into a dynamic of decreasing inequality?

The current issue of the In_equality magazine showcases new projects and explores current research questions: In the "Rectification for International Historical Injustice (ReJust)" project, for example, Aurélia Bardon investigates which forms of state redress for historical injustices – such as colonialism, genocide or looted cultural property – are politically and morally appropriate. In the "WorkDNAge" project, Florian Kunze’s team examines how occupation, workload and social inequality influence biological ageing processes, and what lessons can be drawn from these findings for staff, businesses and policymakers in an ageing society. Using the example of dual-career couples, Vera Schweitzer shows how inequality in relationships can be perpetuated or prevented not only by structural factors, but also by day-to-day household decisions.

Other topics in In_equality magazine No. 9: Future Perspectives The Long Shadow of Violence. A conversation with Anke Hoeffler on conflict and inequality. The Better Researcher? Opportunities and Risks of AI in Social Science Research. Building Bridges Between North and South. Research Infrastructure Collaboration with Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The Politics of the Shopping List: On the Power of Consumer Choices. In_equality Research Award: An interview with Steffen Mau.

Key facts

• Original publication: Future Perspectives. In_equality magazin No. 9. Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality", University of Konstanz.
• In_equality magazine is the research magazine of the Cluster of Excellence. The texts can be reprinted after consulting with the editorial team.
• The Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" at the University of Konstanz investigates the political causes and consequences of inequality from an interdisciplinary perspective. The research is dedicated to some of the most pressing issues of our time: Access to and distribution of (economic) resources, the global rise of populists, climate change and unfairly distributed educational opportunities.