Inequalities of the world

Göran Therborn (ed), Verso, paperback, 332 pages, £19.99

Taking a long-term view of world inequality in economic, political and cultural contexts, Therborn and his contributors show that inequality in infant mortality and life expectancy decreased substantially in the second half of the 20th century - while global income inequality, measured by GDP per capita, widened.

This book is packed with facts and figures, and attempts a theoretical explanation for the many forms of inequality. This is heavy-going at times, but some of the case studies - looking at areas including rural China, Brazil and Europe - help to gain more clarity.

The book is not simply a catalogue of despair: it suggests solutions by looking at the past and present role of the state, although it does not come up with any practical answers.