The New Egalitarianism

Anthony Giddens & Patrick Diamonds

This book tackles one of the most pressing issues currently facing centre-let governments: social inequality. At a time when the traditional mechanisıms of social cohesion have been undermined by greater individualism, the globalisation of production and the fragmentation of social lite, 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 Gøsta Esping-Andersen, Saskia Sassen, Ulrich Beck and Athony Giddens, as well as senior New Labour figures, the book offers o coherent account of the dynamic and multifaceted nature of contemporaıy inequality and lays out how these inequalities can be coloured. 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 for quality consistent with the demands of a postmodern 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. Tho Now Egalitarianism will be essential reading for anyone concerned about social inequality, and the future of democratic Politics.