Synopses & Reviews
Why does inequality have such a hold on American society and public policy? And what can we, as citizens, do about it?
Inequality in America takes an in-depth look at individual-level and systemic inequality, focusing in particular on race, poverty, and gender, across a wide range of issues from housing and education to crime, employment and health. Caliendo shows how individual-level prejudice and systemic inequality are interrelated, how individual beliefs and attitudes can affect public opinion and lawmakers policy solutions and how systemic barriers to advancement as a result of these policies then contribute to individual perceptions, creating a cycle of disadvantage and advantage that can be difficult to break, though not impossible.
Feature boxes throughout the book offer insight into key public figures who have worked to combat inequality and suggestions for individual action. Concise and written in an accessible manner, Inequality in America paves the way for students to think critically about the effects of the attitudes, behaviors and structures of inequality.
Review
Uncommonly balanced and fully accessible.”
Publishers WeeklyA well-researched and insightful perspective on economic inequality and its conflict with American ideals.” Booklist
Inequality in America introduces students to otherwise somewhat closed scholarly debates on inequality and its pertinent issues. The richly textured coverage of vital public policy questions related to inequality and its data-driven foundation are the strengths of the book. Students will find the format of the book appealing. Interesting features such as the Representing” sections of each chapter help hone the respective chapters themes and coverage. Moreover, the What Can I do?” section in each chapter offers very useful and empowering strategies for students to take up as they try to negotiate the many challenges that confront their generation.” James Taylor, University of San Francisco
Inequality in America is an important addition to an introductory course in American government. It is clearly written and accessible to students, while thoughtfully addressing the complex institutionalization of inequality, and its effects, in the United States. Though there are texts that address racial politics more generally, this book is unique in its specific focus on the systemic nature of inequality and its focus on the intersections of race, poverty, and gender.” Catherine Paden, Simmons College
Synopsis
This textbook explores racial and economic inequality in America, focusing on the division between personal and institutional racism and classicism.
About the Author
Stephen Maynard Caliendo is professor of political science at North Central College. He is co-author of Race Appeal: How Candidates Invoke Race in U.S. Political Campaigns, which won the APSA Ralph J. Bunche award in 2012, and coeditor of The Routledge Companion to Race and Ethnicity. He is also co-director of The Project on Race in Political Communication (RaceProject.org) since 2001.
Table of Contents
AcknowledgementsList of Illustrations
List of Boxes
Introduction
Chapter 1: Representation and the Roots of Inequality
Chapter 2: Income and Wealth
Chapter 3: Housing
Chapter 4: Education
Chapter 5: Crime and Employment
Chapter 6: Health
Chapter 7: Gender
Chapter 8: Affirmative Action
Conclusion: The Space between Power and Powerlessness
Index