Equality : from theory to action / John Baker ... [et al.].

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

How can egalitarian ideals be put into action? This ground-breaking book sets out a new interdisciplinary model for equality studies. Integrating normative questions about the ideal of equality with empirical issues about the nature of inequality, it applies a new framework to a wide range of contemporary inequalities. Proposing far-reaching changes in the economy, politics, law, education and research practices, it sets out innovative political strategies for achieving those aims. It is an invaluable resource for both academics and activists.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. viii)
• Part I The New Equality Agenda (p. 1)
• 1 New Challenges to an Unequal World (p. 3)
• An unequal world (p. 3)
• Responses to inequality (p. 10)
• Equality Studies as a response to inequality (p. 14)
• Guide to the rest of this book (p. 18)
• 2 Dimensions of Equality: A Framework for Theory and Action (p. 21)
• The idea of equality (p. 21)
• Basic equality (p. 23)
• Liberal egalitarianism (p. 24)
• Equality of condition (p. 33)
• Applying the framework to social groups (p. 42)
• 3 The Centrality of Equality: Equality and Other Values (p. 47)
• Aspects of equality (p. 47)
• Freedom and equality (p. 50)
• Equality, solidarity and community (p. 52)
• Equality and the environment (p. 53)
• Genuine conflicts between equality and other values (p. 55)
• 4 Contexts of Egalitarian Change: Social Systems and Social Groups (p. 57)
• Social systems within which inequality is generated (p. 58)
• Interactions between the key systems (p. 62)
• Locating the generative causes of inequality across social groups (p. 65)
• Implications for policy and politics (p. 70)
• Part II Putting Equality into Practice (p. 73)
• 5 Towards Economic Equality (p. 75)
• Economic inequality: a glance (p. 76)
• Economic perspectives on equality (p. 78)
• Economic inequality and economic growth: theory and evidence (p. 82)
• The equality-efficiency trade-off: theory and evidence (p. 84)
• Routes to greater economic equality (p. 87)
• 6 The Challenge of Participatory Democracy (p. 96)
• Basic principles (p. 96)
• Participatory democracy (p. 98)
• Obstacles to participatory democracy (p. 101)
• Overcoming the intrinsic obstacles (p. 102)
• Overcoming the transitional obstacles (p. 113)
• 7 Equality, the Legal System and Employment Law (p. 118)
• How the legal system reinforces inequality (p. 118)
• Making the system more egalitarian (p. 123)
• Workplace anti-discrimination laws (p. 125)
• Towards equality of condition in employment (p. 132)
• 8 Equality and Education (p. 140)
• Why equality in education matters (p. 141)
• Four major equality problems in education (p. 143)
• Equality of resources and economically generated inequalities in education: the primacy of social class (p. 144)
• Equality of respect and recognition in education: recognizing diversity (p. 154)
• Equality of power: democratizing education (p. 161)
• Equality of love, care and solidarity: the emotional dimensions of education (p. 164)
• 9 Emancipatory Research as a Tool of Change (p. 169)
• Positivist methodologies and equality (p. 170)
• The conditions in which research is produced (p. 175)
• Emancipatory methodology (p. 178)
• Emancipatory research in practice: research coalitions and learning partnerships (p. 183)
• Part III Strategies for Change (p. 189)
• 10 Class, Gender and the Equality Movement (p. 191)
• Two models of social change (p. 191)
• How the equality movement stands today (p. 194)
• The achievements and challenges of the equality movement (p. 199)
• Class politics and egalitarian change (p. 201)
• The gender order and the politics of change (p. 207)
• 11 Ideology and Resistance (p. 212)
• The role of ideology (p. 212)
• Egalitarianism as a mobilizing ideology (p. 218)
• Love, care and solidarity as political themes (p. 220)
• Caring work and the women's movement (p. 224)
• 12 Strategic Issues for the Equality Movement (p. 229)
• Coordinating action (p. 229)
• The role of political parties (p. 232)
• Radicals and moderates (p. 238)
• Ends and means (p. 243)
• Notes (p. 247)
• Bibliography (p. 267)
• Index (p. 307)

Author notes provided by Syndetics