Examining Social Inequality and Its Effects on Policy Formation Using a Multi-Level Analysis of Education Systems

Abstract

Social inequality still influences access to education, outcomes, and the overall process of policy making, which tends to reinforce the systemic inequalities in societies. This paper explores how social inequality affects policy-making using a multi-level analytical approach that analyses education systems. The study fills the knowledge gap on the interplay of individual, institutional, and structural inequalities in affecting policy design and implementation. The mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating secondary data obtained in global education databases and policy reports with primary data, which was collected using surveys and interviews. Relationships at macro, meso, and micro levels were evaluated using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) and regression analysis. The results show that socioeconomic status is a significant determinant of inequality in policy participation and access to education (