'The Bell Curve' in Perspective

Race, Meritocracy, Inequality and Politics

William H Tucker author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Springer International Publishing AG

Published:1st Nov '23

Should be back in stock very soon

'The Bell Curve' in Perspective cover

This open access book examines the implications of The Bell Curve for the social, economic, and political developments of the early 21st century. Following a review of the reception of The Bell Curve and its place in the campaign to end affirmative action, Professor Tucker analyses Herrnstein’s concept of the “meritocracy” in relation to earlier 20th century eugenics and the dramatic increase in economic inequality over the past 30 years. Tucker demonstrates how, contrary to The Bell Curve’s predictions, the reallocation of these huge sums was neither rational nor beneficial for society. The book moves on to situate The Bell Curve within contemporary politics and shows how it can be seen to have played a role in the 2016 US election. This compelling analysis will appeal to scholars and those with an interest in the history of scientific racism, the history of psychology and the sociology of knowledge and science.

This is an open access book.

ISBN: 9783031416132

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

124 pages

1st ed. 2024