M. Reza Nakhaie

Social Inequalities, Social Capital, and Health of Canadians

Research has demonstrated that social inequality affects public health. Social capital theory has shown that social exchange, social contacts, and social support are also important. We test social inequality and social capital, using the data from the National Population Health Survey, 1996—7. We find weak support for capital theory and show that effects often depend on measures of social capital and health. Social capital appears less useful in explaining the health status of Canadians. JEL classification : I10, I18, D63

Class, Gender and Ethnic Income Inequalities in 1973 and 1984: Findings from the Canadian National Surveys

This paper utilizes two sets of Canadian cross-sectional data collected in 1973 and 1984 for the purpose of evaluating competing theoretical explanations of the level, structure, and process of income inequalities within and between social classes and language and gender groups. The analysis shows a wide income gap between social classes both in 1973 and 1984. The income gaps between males and females are also large. The income gaps between Anglophones and Francophones tend to be much smaller than between class categories and gender groups in 1973, and more so in 1984. The greatest improvement in income disparities seems to come from less discriminatory pay structures and exploitation, not from human capital and individual characteristics.