The New Egalitarianism

by Giddens, Anthony; Diamond, Patrick

• ISBN13: 9780745634319
• ISBN10: 0745634311
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-05
• Publisher: Polity

Summary

This book tackles one of the most pressing issues currently facing centre-left governments: social inequality. At a time when the traditional mechanisms of social cohesion have been undermined by greater individualism, the globalization of production, and the fragmentation of social life, the challenges posed by inequality are more pronounced than ever before. As communities and cultures become more complex, social solidarity and social justice can increasingly seem like impossible ideals. Bringing together original contributions from globally renowned thinkers such as Gosta Esping-Andersen, Saskia Sassen, Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens, as well as senior New Labour figures, the book offers a coherent account of the dynamic and multi-faceted nature of contemporary inequality, and lays out how these inequalities can be countered. Drawing on a wide range of evidence, and the experiences of governments worldwide, it proposes a fresh agenda for social change. The Editors propose a 'new egalitarianism' - an approach to equality consistent with the demands of a post-modern economy and society. The book shows that there is a viable future for a left-of-centre politics anchored in egalitarian values, but that it requires a break with some core assumptions of the past. The New Egalitarianism will be essential reading for anyone concerned about social inequality, and the future of democratic politics.

Author Biography

Anthony Giddens is the former Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science.


Patrick Diamond is a Special Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street.

Table of Contents

About the contributors	vii
Acknowledgements	x
Editors' introduction	1	(170)
1 Inequality of incomes and opportunities
Gøsta Esping-Andersen	8	(31)
2 Does inequality matter?
Edward Miliband	39	(13)
3 Inequality in the new knowledge economy
Robert D. Atkinson	52	(17)
4 Opportunity and life chances: the dynamics of poverty, inequality and exclusion
Robert Walker	69	(17)
5 Where are the poor? The changing patterns of inequality and the impact of attempts to reduce it
Anne Power	86	(15)
6 The new egalitarianism: economic inequality in the UK
Patrick Diamond and Anthony Giddens	101	(19)
7 Inequality and recognition: pan-European social conflicts and their political dynamic
Ulrich Beck	120	(23)
8 New global classes: implications for politics
Saskia Sassen	143	(11)
9 Britain's glue: the case for liberal nationalism
David Goodhart	154	(17)
10 Why gender equality?
Magdalena Andersson	171	(12)
11 Social corrosion, inequality and health
Richard Wilkinson	183	(17)
12 Inequality, choice and public services
Julian Le Grand	200	(11)
Notes	211	(25)
Index	236