Table of Contents

Figures page vi Tables vii Introduction 1 I. The Fields 5 1. Human, Nasty and Short: Life under Inequality 7 2. Behind the Doors of Exclusion 20 II. Theory 35 3. Theoretical Cross-Draught 37 4. Three Kinds of (In)Equality and Their Production 48 III. History 69 5. Inequality and the Rise of Modernity 71 6. A Historical Six-Pack: Three Inequalities in Global and National History 79 IV. Today?s Unequal World 101 7. Current World Patterns and Dynamics of Inequalities 103 8. Three Puzzles of Contemporary Inequalities 132 V. Possible Futures 151 9. Overcoming Inequality ? Yesterday and Tomorrow 153 10. The Decisive Battlefields of Future (In)Equality 166 References 185 Index 202

About the Author

Goran Therborn is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at theUniversity of Cambridge and author of The World: ABeginner s Guide.

Reviews

"Covering the world, Goran Therborn shows how devastating arehis three types of inequality (vital, existential and resource) andtheir mechanisms of reproduction (distanciation, exclusion andexploitation). Lucid, persuasive and learned The Killing Fieldsof Inequality is a must-read for those concerned about the mostpressing topic of our time." Michael Burawoy, University of California, Berkeley "A great book. With a light touch, it provides a brief butcomprehensive survey of all the main dimensions of inequality.Written with insight, commitment to social justice, and ability tosee what matters, it becomes a book about social progress itself.It ends with a perceptive discussion of the next steps towards amore egalitarian future." Richard Wilkinson, University of Nottingham