Challenging Diversity Rethinking Equality and the Value of Difference [Paperback]

This book addresses prominent questions currently facing political and social theory, particularly in relation to debates about difference and diversity.Challenging Equality addresses prominent questions currently facing political and social theory, particularly in relation to debates about difference and diversity. These questions concern how we identify and locate the boundaries of legitimate forms of difference, how we understand inequality, what equality means, the obstacles its pursuit faces, and the challenge of sustaining progressive practices when they differ from the mainstream. Davina Cooper addresses these issues by linking theoretical discussion to specific conflicts over social and cultural issues, such as religious symbolism, lesbian and gay marriage and cigarette smoking.Challenging Equality addresses prominent questions currently facing political and social theory, particularly in relation to debates about difference and diversity. These questions concern how we identify and locate the boundaries of legitimate forms of difference, how we understand inequality, what equality means, the obstacles its pursuit faces, and the challenge of sustaining progressive practices when they differ from the mainstream. Davina Cooper addresses these issues by linking theoretical discussion to specific conflicts over social and cultural issues, such as religious symbolism, lesbian and gay marriage and cigarette smoking.Davina Cooper addresses major questions currently facing political and social theory, particularly in relation to debates about diversity. These questions concern how we identify the boundaries of legitimate forms of difference, and understand equality and inequality as well as the challenges of sustaining differing progressive practices. Cooper links theoretical discussion to specific conflicts over social and cultural issues, such as religious symbolism, lesbian and gay marriage and cigarette smoking.1. Introduction: mapping the terrain; 2. Diversity lC$