Andrain examines aspects of and explanations for economic inequality, something that has increased most everywhere since the 1970s, in various countries of the world.  Economic inequality is related to differing public policies and ultimately differences in terms of political institutions; ideological tilts of parties; and the strength of business, organized labour, and social groups.  The book takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on political science, economics, and sociology.  A strong sympathy for Keynes and Keynesianism as opposed to neoliberalism runs throughout it.  The regional foci are on Western industrial countries, postcommunist countries, China, East Asian developmental states, India, and selected Latin American countries.  Topics include the effects of differing political systems, global interdependence, political mobilization, and the role of social scientists in the policy process.  There are useful comparisons between neighboring countries, such as Chile and Uruguay. . . .[S]tarting each chapter with a discussion of a different novelist's take on inequality is interesting.  The references are quite comprehensive.   Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty.
CHOICE
This is a book that investigates the effects of public policies on inequality in developed and developing countries by offering a clear-cut argument. . . .This well-written book . . . [is] enriched by references to classic novels pertaining to inequality and poverty. . . .[The book] does a good job of communicating effectively with the reader. Indeed, it is especially innovative in its use of novels and the characters in them to illustrate its arguments. It highlights two dominant perspectives in the political economy literature and uses a comparative approach, which makes the book good reading for undergraduate public policy courses.
Political Science Quarterly