Egalitarianism and the Generation of Inequality (Clarendon Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Henry Phelps Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 1991 | Series: Clarendon Paperbacks

This book presents a historical and comparative statistical assessment of egalitarianism, tracing its rise from the Renaissance and Reformation to the present day. Brown draws on a wide survey of actual distributions of income and wealth throughout history--what is known of them in the past, what form they currently take, and the economic processes that generate them--to analyze the authority of equality as a principle of social philosophy and the practicability of egalitarian policy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this magnificently written book, Sir Henry Phelps Brown gives a thought-provoking and highly literate history of the evolution of British (and related) ideas on egalitarianism over the last 1000 years....He also provides an extremely useful empirical examination of income and wealth inequality focused on modern Britain but ranging over time back to the 1400s and with much detail on other developed and developing countries."--Journal of Economic Literature

"The origins of the West's fascination with equality are portrayed brilliantly, empathetically, and succinctly in Phelps Brown's magisterial study....[He] has compressed an immense literature on inequality, including statistical measurement of income and wealth. Those fortunate enough to begin their study of egalitarianism with this work will be prepared to tackle remaining issues."--Journal of Economic History

"Offers an impressive, comprehensive treatment of the philosophical, political, and economic aspects of economic inequality....The author's mastery of the material should ensure its inclusion on most undergraduate and graduate reading lists for courses concerned with income distribution....Highly recommended for all academic collections."--Choice

"A monumental study on the practical and theoretical aspects of capitalism."--Financial Times (London)

"Magisterial new work...Sir Henry has written a necessary book as well as a learned one. It is a chronicle of processes in which he has been distinguished both as actor and author, an implicit monument to the revolution of our time."--New Statesman and Society

About the Author

Between 1974 and 1978, served on Royal Commission on the Distribution of Income and Wealth

Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198283903
• ISBN-13: 978-0198283904
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,120,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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