This ground-breaking book sets out a new interdisciplinary model for equality studies. Integrating normative questions about the ideal of equality with empirical issues about the nature and causes of inequality, it develops a new framework for thinking about equality and inequality and applies it to a wide range of contemporary inequalities, including those based on class, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation. Drawing on an huge variety of sources, it proposes a coherent and far-reaching agenda of egalitarian change in the economy, politics, law, education and research practices. Finally, it sets out a new perspective on egalitarian social movements and explores innovative ideological and political strategies for achieving social change.