Equality as an ideal has a long history, and while some progress has obviously been made, the persistence of certain inequalities is remarkable.

In order to draw a detailed picture of equalitys nature, value, relevance, and scope, this book provides a multidisciplinary analysis. Using a classic three part framework, the book looks at the macro level (broader systemic, historical, conceptual, societal and European level), the meso level (concrete social institutions such as the labour market and the welfare state) and the micro level of the individuals and their relations and thoughts about equality (psychological reactions, cultural depictions and sociological analyses).

The chapters not only provide an overview of the state of equality, but also identify promising areas of future research, and will be of interest to students and scholars across a number of fields including European studies, history, law, political philosophy, psychology, sociology and economics.

François Levrau is Postdoctoral Teaching Assistant at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Part 1. Introduction.- 1. Introduction: Equality as a Multi-faceted Concept; François Levrau& Noel Clycq.- Part 2. Theories and Histories.- 2. Egalitarianism: A Tour d'Horizon; François Levrau.- 3. Equality, Rights and Community: A Long Term Perspective; Bert de Munck.- 4. Multiculturalism Today: Difference, Equality and Interculturalism; Tariq Modood and Tamar De Waal.- Part 3. Institutions and Policies.- 5. Religion and Equality in the Workplace: A Legal-philosophical Analysis; François Levrau & Leni Franken.- 6. Economic Equality and the Welfare State; Wim Van Lancker and Aaron Van den Heede.- 7. Gender, Anti-discrimination and Diversity: The EU's Role in Promoting Equality; Ruby Gropas.- Part 4. Experiences and Impressions.- 8. How do People React to (In)equality and (In)justice?: A Psychosocial Approach; Johanna Pretsch.- 9. What Welfare Principles do Europeans Prefer?: An Analysis of Their Attitudes Towards Old Age Pensions andUnemployment Benefits; Tim Reeskens and Wim Van Oorschot.- 10. A Transdisciplinary Cultural Studies' Approach to Inequality: What Can We Learn From Precarity and Why Does Art Matter?