"This is one of those rare, must-read books. It is a tour-de-force which compels us to rethink which policy formulae promote more equality of opportunity embedded in the socioeconomic order. Analyses of an impressive amount of data lead Kenworthy to conclude that this will depend less on income redistribution, and more on a welfare state that invests in its citizens' human capital and life chances via high-quality and universal social services." -- Gøsta Esping-Andersen, Universitat Pompeu Fabra"Many academics and policy pundits believe that fighting income and wealth inequality is best tackled through higher taxes on the rich. In this provocative book, based on hard evidence, Lane Kenworthy advocates an alternative strategy. Fighting poverty is really improving the living standards of the least well-off, by giving more people access to income protection, capacitating child and family care services, education and training, active labor market policies and work-life balanced employment relations, public health and basic pensions. Improving equality of opportunity in this way will henceforth mitigate social inequality." -- Anton Hemerijck, European University Institute"On a topic dominated by warring screeds, this book is a welcome, balanced, evidence-based account of the consequences of inequality.

This book is especially for everyone who thinks they already know all the answers about inequality-because they will find out how much they have to learn from Lane Kenworthy." -- Jason Furman, Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy, Harvard University, and Former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.