Jonathan Cogliano discusses his “Exploitation Intensity Index,” which measures inequality in a more fundamental way than conventional methods. Instead of focusing only on income or wealth, the index compares how much labor people (or countries) contribute to the economy versus how much labor is embodied in what they receive back.
Cogliano explains how this measure reveals the unequal relations between rich and poor nations—the “core” that controls capital and extracts surplus labor from the global “periphery.” The result is a clearer picture of unequal exchange and the structural injustices embedded in capitalism itself.
He also discusses how artificial intelligence, wealth inequality, and redistributive policy may shape the next chapter of global exploitation—and whether societies can collectively change course.
The dynamics of international exploitation
Exploitation, skills, and inequality
The Dynamics of Exploitation and Class in Accumulation Economies