About the Book

"What makes this book stand out for me is that, as well as being theoretically informed and clearly written, its structure lends itself unmistakeably to teaching... If our aim is to teach truly engaged students, it should be our job to provide truly engaging materials. This is what you will find with this particular book. It will help to inform your disciplinary teaching of social inequality across the social sciences and it will provide a solid basis for your seminar work with students."
- Helen Jones, Higher Education Academy

"Warwick-Booth has provided a highly readable introductory text that will be accessible to everyone interested in this area of study, and I highly recommend it for those embarking on studies of social inequality."
- LSE Review of Books

What is the state of social inequality today? How can you situate yourself in the debates?

This is an essential book that not only introduces you to the key areas, definitions and debates within the field, but also gives you the opportunity to reflect upon the roots of inequality and to critically analyse power relations today.  With international examples and a clear interdisciplinary approach throughout, the book encourages you to look at social inequality as a complex social phenomenon that needs to be understood in a global context. This book:

• Looks at social divisions across societies
• Explores global processes and changes that are affecting inequalities
• Discusses social inequality in relation to class, gender and race
• Examines current social policy approaches to explore how these relate to inequality
• Reflects upon the potential solutions to inequalities

This engaging and accessible introduction to social inequality is an invaluable resource for students across the social sciences.

Louise Warwick-Booth is Senior Lecturer in Health Policy at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK.



Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: What is Social Inequality? Conceptualising Social Inequality Measuring Social Inequality The Global Context of Inequality Patterns of Contemporary Inequality Subjective Inequality Historical Inequality Why Does Inequality Matter? Why Does Inequality Persist? Chapter 2: Social Divisions and Inequality: An Overview Overview of Contemporary Inequality Age Explaining Age-based Divisions Social Exclusion Area Effects Explaining Area-Based Divisions Disability Explaining Disability as a Social Division Health Inequalities Explaining Health Inequalities Sexuality Explaining Sexuality as a Social Division Chapter 3: Social Divisions and Inequality: Social Class What Is Social Class and Why Is It Important? Measuring Social Class Explaining Social Class Divisions Social Status Explaining Differences in Social Status Inequalities and Stratification in Contemporary Society Chapter 4: Social Divisions and Inequality: Gender What is Gender? Gender Inequalities How Can We Measure Gender Equality? Women and Inequalities: The Evidence Women, Equality and Development Women and Socioeconomic Outcomes Women and Power Explaining Female Inequality What About Men? Chapter 5: Social Divisions and Inequality: Ethnicity What is Ethnicity? Ethnic Inequalities How Can We Measure Ethnic Inequalities? Ethnicity and Inequalities: The Evidence Health Inequalities Explaining Ethnic Inequalities Chapter 6: Globalization and the Global Dimensions of Inequality Defining Globalization Theorizing Globalization Globalization Debated: Is Globalization Positive or Negative? Globalisation and Economics Global Politics: Global Governance Ecological Unsustainability Migration Global Inequality Why Is Globalization Disappointing in Development and Economic Terms? What Is the Future of Global Inequality? Chapter 7: The Global Social Policy Arena and Inequality What Is Global Governance? Why Do We Need Global Governance? Key Global Policy Makers Positive Global Governance Negative Global Governance Global Resistance How does Global Governance Relate to Inequality? Chapter 8: Social Policy and Its Relationship to Inequality: Facilitator or Potential Solution? Introduction to Social Policy Welfare Policy How do Ideological and Political Values Impact on Inequalities? Fiscal Policy The Impact of the 2008 Recession Debt Advice Policy to Encourage People to Take Up Work Increasing Social Mobility Through Policy Poverty and State Approaches: Social Policy Policy, Capitalism and Inequality Fiscal Policy and Financial Regulation Chapter 9: Solutions to Inequality: How do we create a more equal global society? What Is the Challenge? Is Technology the Answer? Is Social Policy the Answer? Reform of Global Governance An Alternative View of Poverty Strategies to Tackle Poverty What About More Development and Growth? Creating Greater Equality Ideological Change? The Future of Social Inequality