Routledge Library Editions: Inequality – serie

The volumes in this set, originally published between 1933 and 1988, come from sociology, politics, philosophy, economics, health and education. They: Explore a particular level at which the concept of equality must be applied if educational equality is to be realised. Present a philosophical analysis of the principle of equality. Provide a detailed examination of the correlation between health and wealth, or ill-health and deprivation in Britain. Include an important contribution to the study of social mobility in Australia. Evaluate the effects of converting rental housing into owner occupancy in the USA, the UK and Germany. Presents a detailed empirical analysis of the key dimensions of inequality and poverty in Wales.

Originally published in 1985, Retrieving Democracy offers a thorough and systematic answer to the familiar objection that genuine democracy is utopian. The book outlines an imaginary, yet imaginable, society that would be non-racist, non-sexist, and sufficiently classless to support true civic equality. Moving beyond previous discussions of re-industrialization and economic democracy, the book proposes the social control of corporations; a democratic division of labour that would maximize equality of citizenship rather than merely the production of commodities; the democratization of trade unions; the equalization of wages and job opportunities and the insulation of electoral politics from the power of money.

Originally published in 1985, Retrieving Democracy offers a thorough and systematic answer to the familiar objection that genuine democracy is utopian. The book outlines an imaginary, yet imaginable, society that would be non-racist, non-sexist, and sufficiently classless to support true civic equality. Moving beyond previous discussions of re-industrialization and economic democracy, the book proposes the social control of corporations; a democratic division of labour that would maximize equality of citizenship rather than merely the production of commodities; the democratization of trade unions; the equalization of wages and job opportunities and the insulation of electoral politics from the power of money.

Originally published in 1980 at a time when the discipline of sociology was still relatively young in Australia, The Inheritance of Inequality is an important contribution to the study of social mobility in Australia. The book is based on findings from a survey of nearly 5,000 Australians who were interviewed about their family backgrounds and occupational careers. In its scope and sample size, the survey was unique among non-governmental Australian studies. It went beyond the findings of earlier surveys, giving broader understanding of social mobility and stratification. The book sets out the processes by which Australians have found their place in the world of work in the 20th Century. Factors tending to enhance or frustrate attainment are identified and the degree to which Australia is an egalitarian society is assessed.

Originally published in 1980 at a time when the discipline of sociology was still relatively young in Australia, The Inheritance of Inequality is an important contribution to the study of social mobility in Australia. The book is based on findings from a survey of nearly 5,000 Australians who were interviewed about their family backgrounds and occupational careers. In its scope and sample size, the survey was unique among non-governmental Australian studies. It went beyond the findings of earlier surveys, giving broader understanding of social mobility and stratification. The book sets out the processes by which Australians have found their place in the world of work in the 20th Century. Factors tending to enhance or frustrate attainment are identified and the degree to which Australia is an egalitarian society is assessed.

Originally published in 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression, this book discussed the possibility of a new and orderly economic system to realize social justice. The author argued that nothing but the complete equality of reward could ensure a stable order. Although utopian in its outlook, the book addressed many of the concerns of the (then) existing order. The book explains the origin of differences between different people, give a brief account of the economic theory of the capitalist system and investigates the economics of the growing demand for social and economic equality. It then discusses in more detail the most efficient economic organization to provide and safeguard the welfare of the population on the basis of equality, followed by a discussion of the economic principles involved in price-fixing and foreign trade.

Originally published in 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression, this book discussed the possibility of a new and orderly economic system to realize social justice. The author argued that nothing but the complete equality of reward could ensure a stable order. Although utopian in its outlook, the book addressed many of the concerns of the (then) existing order. The book explains the origin of differences between different people, give a brief account of the economic theory of the capitalist system and investigates the economics of the growing demand for social and economic equality. It then discusses in more detail the most efficient economic organization to provide and safeguard the welfare of the population on the basis of equality, followed by a discussion of the economic principles involved in price-fixing and foreign trade.

When this book was originally published in 1980, sociologists had long held the view that the middle-class marriage in contemporary Britain was characterised by role desegregation and marital equality. Middle-Class Couples reported on research which provided a critical re-analysis of this orthodoxy. The book is a theoretically informed, empirical study which largely debunks many of the myths associated with this alleged movement towards ‘equal marriage’ among professional couples. The author analysed the sexual division of labour among a group of professional workers and their wives at the child-rearing stage of their family cycle. The research paid special attention to the notion of marital equality and the power dimension of marriage, the household division of labour and the patterning of leisure between husbands and wives. A radical critique of the existing social theories of the family and society incorporated in the classic studies of Parsons, Watson, Young and Willmott, Ann Oakley and Elizabeth Bott.

When this book was originally published in 1980, sociologists had long held the view that the middle-class marriage in contemporary Britain was characterised by role desegregation and marital equality. Middle-Class Couples reported on research which provided a critical re-analysis of this orthodoxy. The book is a theoretically informed, empirical study which largely debunks many of the myths associated with this alleged movement towards ‘equal marriage’ among professional couples. The author analysed the sexual division of labour among a group of professional workers and their wives at the child-rearing stage of their family cycle. The research paid special attention to the notion of marital equality and the power dimension of marriage, the household division of labour and the patterning of leisure between husbands and wives. A radical critique of the existing social theories of the family and society incorporated in the classic studies of Parsons, Watson, Young and Willmott, Ann Oakley and Elizabeth Bott.

Originally published in 1980, this book presents a detailed empirical analysis of the key dimensions of inequality and poverty in Wales, discussing such aspects as the distribution of income and wealth, the housing situation, the functioning of the NHS and urban deprivation. Wales emerges as a country severely disadvantaged in relation to much of the rest of Britain. Moreover, the extent of inequalities within Wales is also striking. In the second part of the book each contributor applies a particular theoretical perspective to an aspect of the situation discussed in the first part. The perspectives adopted are diverse, ranging from Keynesianism, through dual labour markets to dependency theory and Marxist analysis. Each essay emphasises the importance of locating our understanding of poverty and social inequality in the context of the patterns of economic development in Wales and in the functioning of the State apparatus.

Originally published in 1986, this book compares and evaluates the effects of converting rental housing into owner occupancy in the USA, the UK and Germany. The evaluation examines the pros and cons of such conversions. The conversion controversy is more than a technical discussion of outcomes of different housing strategies. By viewing tenure conversions as strategies for limiting direct governmental involvement, this comparative evaluation indicates something about the effects not only on housing, but on general social welfare, of such strategies.

Originally published in 1986, this book compares and evaluates the effects of converting rental housing into owner occupancy in the USA, the UK and Germany. The evaluation examines the pros and cons of such conversions. The conversion controversy is more than a technical discussion of outcomes of different housing strategies. By viewing tenure conversions as strategies for limiting direct governmental involvement, this comparative evaluation indicates something about the effects not only on housing, but on general social welfare, of such strategies.

Originally published in 1980, this book presents a detailed empirical analysis of the key dimensions of inequality and poverty in Wales, discussing such aspects as the distribution of income and wealth, the housing situation, the functioning of the NHS and urban deprivation. Wales emerges as a country severely disadvantaged in relation to much of the rest of Britain. Moreover, the extent of inequalities within Wales is also striking. In the second part of the book each contributor applies a particular theoretical perspective to an aspect of the situation discussed in the first part. The perspectives adopted are diverse, ranging from Keynesianism, through dual labour markets to dependency theory and Marxist analysis. Each essay emphasises the importance of locating our understanding of poverty and social inequality in the context of the patterns of economic development in Wales and in the functioning of the State apparatus.

When originally published in 1988, this book presented new evidence of inequalities in health found among communities in different areas of the North of England. It relates this evidence to long-term trends taking place in patterns of health in Britain as a whole and explores how far health inequalities can be explained by variations in material deprivation. The book provides a detailed examination of the correlation between health and wealth, or ill-health and deprivation in Britain in the 20th century but the book has an enduring relevance as the Covid Pandemic has once again shown that regional disparities in wealth have profound outcomes for health. The book is of significance for health professionals, social services and those planner and politicians concerned with levelling up.

When originally published in 1988, this book presented new evidence of inequalities in health found among communities in different areas of the North of England. It relates this evidence to long-term trends taking place in patterns of health in Britain as a whole and explores how far health inequalities can be explained by variations in material deprivation. The book provides a detailed examination of the correlation between health and wealth, or ill-health and deprivation in Britain in the 20th century but the book has an enduring relevance as the Covid Pandemic has once again shown that regional disparities in wealth have profound outcomes for health. The book is of significance for health professionals, social services and those planner and politicians concerned with levelling up.

Originally published in 1988, Accommodating Inequality provides a basis for a radical re-think of housing policy and provision in Australia from a gender perspective. It explores the way that housing in Australia helped to produce patriarchal family structures and simultaneously contributed to the dependence of women on men. At the time the book was originally published housing policy at a theoretical or research level was less explored. Issues such as marginalisation, poverty and low income, domestic responsibility are discussed in relation to housing. The book raised new questions and challenged old debates and provides a clear framework within which feminist housing policy can be situated.

Originally published in 1988, Accommodating Inequality provides a basis for a radical re-think of housing policy and provision in Australia from a gender perspective. It explores the way that housing in Australia helped to produce patriarchal family structures and simultaneously contributed to the dependence of women on men. At the time the book was originally published housing policy at a theoretical or research level was less explored. Issues such as marginalisation, poverty and low income, domestic responsibility are discussed in relation to housing. The book raised new questions and challenged old debates and provides a clear framework within which feminist housing policy can be situated.

Originally published in 1978, this book presents a philosophical analysis of the principle of equality, and is also a study of the institutional implications of that principle in the field of social policy. The author distinguishes between a ‘procedural’ and a ‘substantive’ version of the principle of equality and considers the implications of both. Procedural equality is identified with the concept of equity and includes the recommendation that like cases should be treated as like. The application of this principle to some political argument in the area of social policy, such as family allowances, is discussed. The author defines the substantive principle as the rule that persons should share the same level of economic welfare. Some difficulties in implementing the equal welfare principle are discussed, with particular application to pensions policy. An original interpretation of the logical relationship between the principle of need and that of equality is proposed, and is applied to the case of the health services. The final 2 chapters deal with the institutional implications of the equality principle. These chapters analyse some major political arguments over the organisation of social policy, such as the compatibility of extensive social welfare measures with a market economy.

Originally published in 1978, this book presents a philosophical analysis of the principle of equality, and is also a study of the institutional implications of that principle in the field of social policy. The author distinguishes between a ‘procedural’ and a ‘substantive’ version of the principle of equality and considers the implications of both. Procedural equality is identified with the concept of equity and includes the recommendation that like cases should be treated as like. The application of this principle to some political argument in the area of social policy, such as family allowances, is discussed. The author defines the substantive principle as the rule that persons should share the same level of economic welfare. Some difficulties in implementing the equal welfare principle are discussed, with particular application to pensions policy. An original interpretation of the logical relationship between the principle of need and that of equality is proposed, and is applied to the case of the health services. The final 2 chapters deal with the institutional implications of the equality principle. These chapters analyse some major political arguments over the organisation of social policy, such as the compatibility of extensive social welfare measures with a market economy.

Originally published in 1975, the essays in this book explore a particular level at which the concept of equality must be applied if educational equality is to be realised. Whilst each stands independently of the others, there are points of convergence and overlap in the perspectives of the writers, each of whom represents a different discipline: education, sociology, psychology, philosophy and politics. The relationship between equality and unity, uniformity and justice are discussed, and at every level false assumptions are revealed.

Originally published in 1975, the essays in this book explore a particular level at which the concept of equality must be applied if educational equality is to be realised. Whilst each stands independently of the others, there are points of convergence and overlap in the perspectives of the writers, each of whom represents a different discipline: education, sociology, psychology, philosophy and politics. The relationship between equality and unity, uniformity and justice are discussed, and at every level false assumptions are revealed.

Originally published in 1975, this anthology of essays focusses on the historical dimension of class inequality which has long concerned both sociologists and social philosophers but has often been neglected in literature. Although Marx is the first name to come to mind when social inequality and class struggles are mentioned, most of the authors included here precede him. Each analyses and discusses the problems of class conflict as they understood them in the light of their own times. Taken together these writers treat stratification as essentially a pecking order where position is determined by relative power – a notion which subsumes rather than contradicts the economic interpretation of social inequality because wealth is a form of power. The relation between the views of these authors and the well-known theory of Marx is discussed in the Introduction.