Inequality in America: Race, Poverty, and Fulfilling Democracy's Promise

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 highlight key public figures who have worked to combat inequality and encourage students to do the same.

The third edition has been thoroughly revised to include the most current data and cover recent issues and events such as Trump Administration policies, the #MeToo movement, and U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting issues of racial representation and voting rights. Concise and accessible, Inequality in America paves the way for students to think critically about the attitudes, behaviors, and structures of inequality.

New to the Third Edition

• New to the Third Edition

  • Considers the heightened discussion of racial reckoning that has been occurring since the summer of 2020.
  • Covers the disproportional effect to communities of color of the Covid-19 global pandemic and related recession
  • Takes an early glimpse into Biden Administration priorities compared to Trump Administration policies on education, immigration, housing and urban development.
  • Updates feature boxes, including a spotlight on U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative.
  • Discusses the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements, and much more.

Stephen M. Caliendo is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Political Science at North Central College. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of multiple books, including The Routledge Companion to Race and Ethnicity and Race Appeal: How Candidates Invoke Race in U.S. Political Campaigns.