The Politics of Equality

Reviews

'Myers' Politics of Equality is a thoughtful, learned, simply-written attempt to revive a strain of political theory generally considered refuted by events: communism, socialism, social democracy, and related theories of social equality. It is, perhaps, time for such an attempt. No important political theory remains refuted for long - certainly not by events. Myers' contributes to the revival of social-egalitarian theory in three ways: a) by making a strong case for the attractiveness of the ideal (a society of equal freedom); b) by suggesting reasonable means to approach that ideal; and c) perhaps most important, by pointing out how little the events of the last hundred years actually count against either the ideal or the means he suggests. It's a book that should enliven a discussion dead for too long, as good for the classroom as for circulation among thinking classes.' - Michael Davis, Illinois Institute of Technology

'Overuse has made it easy to forget the transformative, everyday makeup of concepts like 'freedom' and 'justice.' But the fabric of modern life (the 8 hour workday; vacations, public schools, sidewalks, safe food and water) is a legislated, created product, no less a result of human design than a building or a city. The Politics of Social Equality offers a readable entry into the history of egalitarian political theories invaluable for students of political science, economics, or anyone interested in how ideas are transformed into politics - and eventually, reality.' - John Bowe, Author of 'Nobodies:Modern Slave Labor in America'

'Jason Myers' The Politics of Equality is insightful, historically informed, and ideologically balanced, a commanding discourse on the theory and practice of democracy.' - Michael Parenti, author of Contrary Notions and God and His Demons

'Jason Myers' The Politics of Equality is that rarity: it covers what had seemed to be familiar territory in a manner that casts new light on it in a strikingly original way. It takes nothing for granted, and launches a broad-ranging, clear-headed reconsideration that is an original and significant contribution to the literature on equality.' - Prof. Paul Thomas, University of California, Berkley