Equality in America – A View from the Top - Hardcover

Verba, S

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674259602 ISBN 13: 9780674259607

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1985

Synopsis

A model of meticulous and incisive scholarship, Equality in America dissects American attitudes toward equality by placing those beliefs in historical context and demonstrating a relationship between political and economic equality. The book is based on a study of leaders from all significant sectors of American society, including top business and labor leaders, those highest in the media and in political parties, and leaders from the feminist and civil rights movements. The book takes on the thorny puzzle of how economic inequality, which is the inevitable result of a free economy, coexists with political equality, which is a necessary ingredient of democracy. In the course of their argument, the authors take issue with free market economists and Marxist analysts, both of whom treat self-interest as the driving force behind individual and collective behavior, leaving little place for the role of beliefs and values.

About this title

Review

Sidney Verba and Gary Orren explore the views of leaders of ten groups--business, farm, organized labor, intellectuals, Republicans, Democrats, blacks, feminists, media, and youth... They demonstrate that in America there is a stronger commitment to political equality than in any other developed nation. At the same time, Americans hold views and adopt policies that produce one of the lowest levels of economic equality. -- Thomas B. Edsall "New Republic" This lucid, jargon-free analysis of one of the basic governing ideals underlying our political life is a must. America there is a stronger commitment to political equality than in any other developed nation. At the same time, Americans hold views and adopt policies that produce one of the lowest levels of economic equality.

About the Author

Sidney Verba is Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor, Harvard University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674259602
• ISBN 13: 9780674259607
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352