Analysis of two forms of inequality: exploitation and discrimination

This article develops an integrated framework for analysing social inequality through the concepts of exploitation and discrimination. It distinguishes Inequality of outcome from inequality of opportunity arguing that exploitation is not a unitary phenomenon, as traditionally conceived in Marxist theory, but a multidimensional one. Likewise, gender, ethnic, and generational inequalities, as well as distinctions between citizens and non-citizens, are not isolated processes but can be analytically unified within the Weberian concept of discrimination. By refining these concepts and clarifying their interplay, the article provides a mechanism-oriented approach that can be applied to empirical research on contemporary forms of inequality.

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Publication Details

Journal
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Published
2026-06-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-07320-x
Primary Topic
Global trade, sustainability, and social impact
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Analysis of two forms of inequality: exploitation and discrimination

Fernando Osvaldo Esteban
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Global trade, sustainability, and social impact
article

Analysis of two forms of inequality: exploitation and discrimination

Fernando Osvaldo Esteban
article en

Abstract

This article develops an integrated framework for analysing social inequality through the concepts of exploitation and discrimination. It distinguishes Inequality of outcome from inequality of opportunity arguing that exploitation is not a unitary phenomenon, as traditionally conceived in Marxist theory, but a multidimensional one. Likewise, gender, ethnic, and generational inequalities, as well as distinctions between citizens and non-citizens, are not isolated processes but can be analytically unified within the Weberian concept of discrimination. By refining these concepts and clarifying their interplay, the article provides a mechanism-oriented approach that can be applied to empirical research on contemporary forms of inequality.

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Universitat de València (ES)
Reduced inequalities, Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Global trade, sustainability, and social impact
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