Contemporary democracies vary greatly in how much income inequality they tolerate. Some, like the United States and the United Kingdom, have seen high and rising levels for decades, while others, such as the Nordic countries, are much more equal.

This comprehensive text draws on a wealth of cutting-edge theories and empirical data to examine the political and economic causes and consequences of income inequality around the globe. It is organized around a set of key questions, including:
- Is there something morally wrong with inequality? 
- Is inequality good or bad for economic growth? 
- How does inequality affect political participation and engagement? 
- Who decides in the politics of inequality?

Systematic and accessible, this is the perfect book for students with an interest in the connections between politics and inequality.

"The Politics of Inequality is a timely and lively book that offers important insights about how people in rich democracies use political processes to distribute income and wealth across their populations. It can be read as an update and development of Inequality by Design, that crucial 1996 book by a distinguished team of Berkeley sociologists that demolished The Bell Curve. In the 2016 political debate, such moral arguments over inequality are with us again, and Carsten Jensen and Kees van Kersbergen have contributed a deep analysis of the contemporary political foundations of inequality, one that should be widely read, discussed, and debated." - Jason Beckfield, Harvard University, USA 'This is a superbly researched book and a must read for any student or scholar interested in the politics of inequality. It clearly shows that inequality is not something natural, but dependent on political choices.' - Martin Seeleib-Kaiser, University of Oxford, UK

Carsten Jensen and Kees van Kersbergen are both Professors of Political Science at Aarhus University, Denmark.