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 race, class and gender-based inequality, across a wide range of issues from housing and education to crime, employment and health. Caliendo explores how individual attitudes can affect public opinion and lawmakers’ policy solutions. He also illustrates how these policies result in systemic barriers to advancement that often then contribute to individual perceptions. This cycle of disadvantage and advantage can be difficult-though not impossible-to break. “Representing” and “What Can I Do?” feature boxes throughout the book highlight key public figures who have worked to combat inequality and encourage students to take action to do the same.
The second edition has been thoroughly revised to include the most current data and to cover recent issues and events like the 2016 elections and the Black Lives Matter movement. It now also includes a brand-new chapter on crime and criminal justice and an expanded discussion of immigration. Concise and accessible, Inequality in America paves the way for students to think critically about the attitudes, behaviors and structures of inequality.
The second edition has been thoroughly revised to include the most current data and to cover recent issues and events like the 2016 elections and the Black Lives Matter movement. It now also includes a brand-new chapter on crime and criminal justice and an expanded discussion of immigration. Concise and accessible, Inequality in America paves the way for students to think critically about the attitudes, behaviors and structures of inequality.
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Reader Reviews
Praise
"Uncommonly balanced and fully accessible."—Publishers Weekly
"A well-researched and insightful perspective on economic inequality and its conflict with American ideals."—Booklist
"A welcome addition to American politics classes. Caliendo's textbook
covers an array of important topics within the broad field of American income
inequality. . . . In addition to providing foundational definitions, Caliendo's
textbook offers an excellent introduction to the drivers of income inequality,
with a particular focus on racial income inequality."—Political Science
Quarterly
"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
"Inequality in America is a thorough and
comprehensive review of the state of race- and socioeconomic-status-based
inequality from a multidisciplinary perspective. The author includes a great mix
of political science, history, economics, and sociology. I highly recommend
this book for anyone teaching an undergraduate course on U.S. inequality."—S. Michael Gaddis, The Pennsylvania State University
