Rethinking equality: The challenge of equal citizenship (Reappraising the Political)

Although formally equal, relations between citizens are actually characterised by many and varied forms of inequality. Do contemporary theories of equality provide an adequate response to the inequalities that afflict contemporary societies? And what is the connection between theories of equality and the contemporary politics of citizenship? Accessible and comprehensive, Rethinking equality provides a clear, critical and very up-to-date account of the most important contemporary egalitarian theories. Unusually, it also relates these theories to contemporary political practice, assessing them in relation to the impact of neoliberalism on contemporary welfare states, and the shift from social to active forms of citizenship. As well as representing a significant intervention within academic debates on equality and citizenship, this book represents essential reading for students of contemporary political theory. This book is relevant to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, Reduced inequalities "In [this book], Chris Armstrong provides a critical account of contemporary egalitarian theories. He challenges their focus on issues of choice and personal responsibility, and questions their ability to address the major inequalities that characterize the contemporary world, before presenting an alternative vision of egalitarian politics based on the challenge of a genuinely inclusive form of citizenship. This vision is defended through a critical discussion of four key issues in political theory: the recognition/redistribution debate, the connection between equality and responsibility, the ideal of equal opportunities, and the significance of 'globalization' for the politics of equal citizenship. Accessible and comprehensive, the book provides a clear, critical and very up-to-date account of the most important contemporary egalitarian theories, including the work of Rawls, Dworkin and the luck egalitarians, Anne Phillips, Iris Young and Nancy Fraser. Unusually, it also relates these theories to contemporary political (and especially citizenship) practice, assessing them in relation to the impact of neoliberalism on contemporary welfare states, and the shift from 'social' to 'active' forms of citizenship. As well as representing a significant intervention within academic debates on equality and citizenship, this book represents essential reading for students of contemporary political theory."--Publisher's description, from page [4] of cover This Text Provides An Account Of The Important Contemporary Egalitarian Theories. It Relates Egalitarian Theories To Contemporary Political Practice, Assessing Them With The Impact Of Neoliberalism On Welfare States, And The Shift From 'social' To 'active' Forms Of Citizenship. The Troubled Life Of Social Citizenship: Rawls On Equality -- Equality, Risk And Responsibility: Dworking On The Insurance Market -- Equality Versus Social Inclusion? -- Equality And Responsibility: Towards A More Critical Union? -- Opportunities, Outcomes And Democratic Citizenship: Young And Phillips On Equality -- Equalities: Recognition, Redistribution And Citizenship -- Equality And Citizenship In Global Perspective. Chris Armstrong. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 196-217) And Index. Front matter Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Part I A Critique of Liberal Equality The troubled life of social citizenship: Rawls on equality Equality, risk and responsibility: Dworkin on the insurance market Equality versus social inclusion? Part II Alternatives: Equality and citizenship Equality and responsibility: Towards a more critical union? Opportunities, outcomes and democratic citizenship: Young and Phillips on equality Equalities: recognition, redistribution and citizenship Equality and citizenship in global perspective Conclusion References Index