Slavery is a live issue today, but the people who talk about it as such are not all of a piece. Some insist the world is now plagued by the contemporary equivalent of transatlantic slavery, and call on us to combat "modern slavery". Others hold that the on-going devaluation and destruction of black life continues the logic of transatlantic slavery. They urge us to address the "afterlives" of racial chattel slavery. These two groupings provide different answers to the questions, "what do we know and what should we do about slavery?" This book reviews what is known about the issues at the heart of each perspective, and argues that the concept of "afterlives" is more helpful than that of "modern slavery" to those seeking to challenge injustice, violence, inequality and oppression in the twenty-first century.
Slavery is a live issue today, but the people who talk about it as such are not all of a piece. Some insist the world is now plagued by the contemporary equivalent of transatlantic slavery, and call on us to combat "modern slavery". Others hold that the on-going devaluation and destruction of black life continues the logic of transatlantic slavery. They urge us to address the "afterlives" of racial chattel slavery. These two groupings provide different answers to the questions, "what do we know and what should we do about slavery?" This book reviews what is known about the issues at the heart of each perspective, and argues that the concept of "afterlives" is more helpful than that of "modern slavery" to those seeking to challenge injustice, violence, inequality and oppression in the twenty-first century.
Featured in the Financial Times Best Books of the Year 2020 The evidence is rigorously marshalled and the...solutions equally clearly illuminated. A definitive study. - Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator, The Financial Times In this vital new book, Britain's first Professor of Social Mobility Lee Elliot Major and Stephen Machin, reveal the causes of the UK's low social mobility, explain why it's getting worse, and outline how we reverse this worrying trend, before it's too late. It covers the history of social mobility in the UK, explores international comparisons, analyses the recent 'dark age' of declining absolute mobility, and investigates issues such as how family traits affect inter-generational mobility. The authors then outline what it is we should do about this pressing issue. Calling for a fundamental shift in debates about social mobility and arguing that only by establishing general principles of fairness in society can we agree the major policy reforms that can make Britain a more mobile and just society for all.
Featured in the Financial Times Best Books of the Year 2020 The evidence is rigorously marshalled and the...solutions equally clearly illuminated. A definitive study. - Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator, The Financial Times In this vital new book, Britain's first Professor of Social Mobility Lee Elliot Major and Stephen Machin, reveal the causes of the UK's low social mobility, explain why it's getting worse, and outline how we reverse this worrying trend, before it's too late. It covers the history of social mobility in the UK, explores international comparisons, analyses the recent 'dark age' of declining absolute mobility, and investigates issues such as how family traits affect inter-generational mobility. The authors then outline what it is we should do about this pressing issue. Calling for a fundamental shift in debates about social mobility and arguing that only by establishing general principles of fairness in society can we agree the major policy reforms that can make Britain a more mobile and just society for all.
An expert and accessible exploration of the scale and impact of global tax avoidance. From corporate to individual tax abuse, it explains why this is such an important issue, and what we can do change it. There is increasing public anger over tax injustice. From multinational companies to wealthy elites. In a post-pandemic recession, these issues are getting more media and academic coverage, too. There's increasing debate about non-dom individuals, wealth tax, offshore havens etc. Research and activism on this isn't new, but it's becoming more mainstream and more visible. International bodies like the UN and World Bank are engaging with it, and across the social sciences it's being explored in connection not just to public policy or CSR, but to extreme national and international inequality, to climate crisis, and to colonialism.
An expert and accessible exploration of the scale and impact of global tax avoidance. From corporate to individual tax abuse, it explains why this is such an important issue, and what we can do change it. There is increasing public anger over tax injustice. From multinational companies to wealthy elites. In a post-pandemic recession, these issues are getting more media and academic coverage, too. There's increasing debate about non-dom individuals, wealth tax, offshore havens etc. Research and activism on this isn't new, but it's becoming more mainstream and more visible. International bodies like the UN and World Bank are engaging with it, and across the social sciences it's being explored in connection not just to public policy or CSR, but to extreme national and international inequality, to climate crisis, and to colonialism.
"An excellent summary of why and how we work." People Management magazine What do we know about the current state of work and employment and what does the future of work look like? Professor Melanie Simms provides a far-reaching overview of paid employment in the UK, examining why we work, how we work, and what the future of work will be like with changing demographics and the introduction of modern technologies. From zero-hour contracts, the gig economy and universal basic income, to automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, Simms analyses the most pressing issues facing traditional employment. Before outlining four priority areas where the UK should look to strengthen regulation of in order to face the coming challenges more effectively, but also, so that they benefit workers, as well as employers and managers. ABOUT THE SERIES: The 'What Do We Know and What Should We Do About...?' series offers readers short, up-to-date overviews of key issues often misrepresented, simplified or misunderstood in modern society and the media. Each book is written by a leading social scientist with an established reputation in the relevant subject area. The Series Editor is Professor Chris Grey, Royal Holloway, University of London
"An excellent summary of why and how we work." People Management magazine What do we know about the current state of work and employment and what does the future of work look like? Professor Melanie Simms provides a far-reaching overview of paid employment in the UK, examining why we work, how we work, and what the future of work will be like with changing demographics and the introduction of modern technologies. From zero-hour contracts, the gig economy and universal basic income, to automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, Simms analyses the most pressing issues facing traditional employment. Before outlining four priority areas where the UK should look to strengthen regulation of in order to face the coming challenges more effectively, but also, so that they benefit workers, as well as employers and managers. ABOUT THE SERIES: The 'What Do We Know and What Should We Do About...?' series offers readers short, up-to-date overviews of key issues often misrepresented, simplified or misunderstood in modern society and the media. Each book is written by a leading social scientist with an established reputation in the relevant subject area. The Series Editor is Professor Chris Grey, Royal Holloway, University of London
The Irish border is a manifestation of the relationship between Britain and Ireland. When that relationship has been tense, we have seen the worst effects at the Irish border in the form of violence, controls and barriers. When the relationship has been good, the Irish border has become - to all intents and purposes - open, invisible and criss-crossed with connections. Throughout its short existence, the symbolism of the border has remained just as important as its practical impact. With the UK's exit from the European Union, the challenge of managing the Irish border as a source and a symbol of British-Irish difference became an international concern. The solution found in the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement gives the Irish border a globally unique status. A century after partition, and as we enter the post-Brexit era, this book considers what we should know and do about this highly complex and ever-contested boundary line.
