Provides a broad introduction to all major spheres of discrimination law
Explores the wider social, historical, and legal context of discrimination law
Takes a firm stance on discrimination law issues, outlining the author's influential opinion of the field
Comparative study explores common themes and discusses different approaches to solving these problems in a variety of jurisdictions, including the US, India, Canada, South Africa, UK, EU, and ECHR
New to this edition
Incorporates the many new developments in discrimination law since 2002, including the Equality Act 2010, human rights law, and EU law
Expanded coverage of the 'new' strands in discrimination law, including discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, age, and religion and belief
Extensive comparative coverage including the US, India, Canada, and South Africa, as well as the UK, EU, and ECHR
Equality is an ideal to which we all aspire. Yet the more closely we examine it, the more its meaning shifts. How do we explain how equal treatment can in effect lead to inequality, while unequal treatment might be necessary in order to achieve equality? The apparent paradox can be understood if we accept that equality can be formulated in different ways, depending on which underlying conception is chosen. In this highly readable yet challenging book, Sandra Fredman examines the ways in which discrimination law addresses these questions.
The new edition retains the format of the highly successful first edition, while incorporating the many new developments in discrimination law since 2002, including the Equality Act 2010, human rights law, and EU law. By using a thematic approach, the book illuminates the major issues in discrimination law, while at the same time imparting a detailed understanding of the legal provisions. The comparative approach is particularly helpful; by examining comparable law in the US, India, Canada, and South Africa, as well as the UK, the book exposes common problems and canvasses differing solutions. As in the previous edition, the book locates discrimination in its wider social and historical context. Drawing on the author's wide experience of equality law in many jurisdictions, she creates an analytic framework to assess the substantive law.
The book is a thought-provoking and accessible overview of the way in which equality law has adjusted to new and increasingly complex challenges. It concludes that progress has been evident, but uneven. Those dedicated to equality still face an exacting, but ultimately deeply rewarding, task.
Readership: Students and academics in law and related disciplines as part of courses or graduate research work in discrimination law, equality law, labour law, human rights law, political theory and social policy; Lawyers, judges and other practitioners including NGOs in the field, as a resource in comparative and analytic approaches to discrimination law; Policy-makers as a resource in formulating .
