Fred Powell served as Professor of Social Policy and founding Head of the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork for 25 years, Dean of Social Science and latterly Student Ombudsman.Margaret Scanlon is Research Coordinator for the Institute of Social Science in the 21st Century at University College Cork. Hilary Jenkinson is Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork. Patrick Leahy is Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies and Director of Postgraduate Youth Studies at University College Cork. Olive Byrne is Head of Access at University College Cork.

“This is a beautifully written, powerfully engaging book that everyone concerned with the state of education should read. It reveals how educational systems create left-behind classes with dire consequences for democracy across the globe.” Diane Reay, University of Cambridge

• 1. Introduction: Aristotle’s Curse2. The Cultural Politics of Educational Stratification3. Public Education, Universities and Widening Participation4. The Psycho-Politics of Meritocracy: IQ+ Effort=Merit?5. Snakes and Ladders: Aspirations and Barriers6. Social Class and Parental Attitudes Towards Education and Career Choices7. Structural Racism and Traveller Education8. Conclusion: Global Lessons

Fred Powell served as Professor of Social Policy and founding Head of the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork for 25 years, Dean of Social Science and latterly Student Ombudsman.Margaret Scanlon is Research Coordinator for the Institute of Social Science in the 21st Century at University College Cork. Hilary Jenkinson is Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork. Patrick Leahy is Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies and Director of Postgraduate Youth Studies at University College Cork. Olive Byrne is Head of Access at University College Cork.

“This is a beautifully written, powerfully engaging book that everyone concerned with the state of education should read. It reveals how educational systems create left-behind classes with dire consequences for democracy across the globe.” Diane Reay, University of Cambridge

• 1. Introduction: Aristotle’s Curse2. The Cultural Politics of Educational Stratification3. Public Education, Universities and Widening Participation4. The Psycho-Politics of Meritocracy: IQ+ Effort=Merit?5. Snakes and Ladders: Aspirations and Barriers6. Social Class and Parental Attitudes Towards Education and Career Choices7. Structural Racism and Traveller Education8. Conclusion: Global Lessons