Routledge Social Problems and Inequality: Social Responsibility through Progressive Sociology (Solving Social Problems)

Social Problems and Inequality explores integrated and root-cause-based explanations of complex social problems. Written in clear and understandable language, allowing it to be used for classroom purposes, it addresses the most fundamental principles of how humans, acting through social units, create, and eventually can remedy, social problems. With a central focus on the problem of inequality and the manner in which this is manifested in crime, social class and stratification, this book examines the key theoretical perspectives relevant to the study and solution of social problems, whilst drawing upon rich illustrations and case studies from the US and Europe to offer a thorough examination of the nature, common root causes and social remedies of social problems. Providing discussions of both theoretical approaches and concrete applications, Social Problems and Inequality investigates the sources of various prejudices and attitudes that contribute to social problems and the associated issues of globalization, economic greed and imperialism. Accessible in style and comprehensive in its coverage, this book will appeal to students and scholars of social problems across the social sciences. Review Prize: Winner, The Institute for Critical Animal Studies' Critical Animal Studies Media of the Year Award, 2013 'Alessio...has written a provocative analysis...the book can stimulate thought, discussion, and perhaps even action designed to solve certain social problems...Recommended.' Choice 'Alessio's excellent and most readable book casts a fresh and interesting light on the links between theory and practice, and between immediate experience and larger sets of social relations. Clearly constructed, richly informed, and intelligently argued, a most worthy contribution to sociology and to understanding human society.' Michael Parenti, author of The Face of Imperialism (2011) and God and His Demons (2010) 'A masterful introduction to the sociological perspective that turns the illuminating power of the discipline onto important contemporary issues - including the oppression of animals. This powerful political-economic analysis is a compelling argument for rejecting an unsustainable system and working for justice for all the residents of the planet.' David Nibert, Wittenberg University, USA and author of Animal Rights/Human Rights: The Entanglement of Oppression and Liberation 'Shattering the old disciplinary limits with an unabashedly progressive approach John Alessio bares the underlying interconnections shaping the issues that confront us all, from everyday troubles to global disasters. His crisp, provocative analysis points the reader to examine their own role in social issues and most importantly how we can move from being part of the problem to becoming part of the solution.' R. A. Dello Buono, Manhattan College, USA and co-author of Social Change, Resistance and Social Practices and Latin America after the Neoliberal Debacle 'Alessio asks vital questions about how social reality is controlled, why we misunderstand social issues when we see them as personal problems, and how power impacts upon what sociologists define as social issues. This book offers a About the Author John C. Alessio is Academic Dean and Professor of Sociology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, USA