Occupational returns to higher education in Brazil and South Africa: racial differences and inequality reduction policies in the 21st century

• Grant number: 22/13931-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Demography - Public Policy and Population
• Principal Investigator: Joice Melo Vieira
• Grantee: Ianca Almeida da Silva
• Host Institution: Núcleo de Estudos da População (NEPO). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/10959-8 - Occupational and wage returns to higher education in Brazil and South Africa: Racial and gender inequalities in the 21st century, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Brazil and South Africa are two highly unequal multicultural countries that are seen as emerging in the current phase of global capitalism. Both have a colonial past marked by slavery. Although they present specificities, given that the cultural melting pot that originated each of these countries has different elements, it is worth asking whether education is capable of promoting equality as the expansion of access to higher education advances. In other words, to what extent does education function as a social equalizer, resulting in egalitarian occupational returns that are compatible with higher education, according to the individuals' race/color? The theoretical framework of this project is based, above all, on discussions regarding occupational returns to education, human capital theory and its criticisms. Special attention is paid to the racial composition of Brazil and South Africa, and to strategies to reduce social inequalities through public policies aimed at expanding access to higher education, professional qualification, work and income implemented in these countries. It is intended to map and compare the forms of agency of these populations in the arena of discussion of inclusive and affirmative policies throughout the first decades of the 21st century. Higher education is seen by us as one of the highest points of acquisition of human capital, which in theory would be reflected in greater access to income and more advantageous placements in the occupational structure (BECKER, 1930). Occupations are understood as a proxy for political influence, social prestige and power relations present in society (QUADROS and MAIA, 2010). The data sources to be analyzed are the National Continuous Household Sample Survey (PNAD-C) and the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), for the years 2012, 2017 and 2021.Keywords: Educational returns, Human capital theory, interracial relations, occupational inequalities, Brazil, South Africa. (AU)