Intelligence, Political Inequality, And Public Policy

This timely book deals directly with a topic increasingly in the news and on the minds of policy makers—political inequality. It is no coincidence that the official theme of the 1996 meeting of the American Political Science Association is the issue of political inequality. Drawing together a number of the leading writers on the topic, White provides a full and serious examination of the biological and environmental factors that may be involved.

In looking at these factors, the book opens up new paths of exploration for political science, including the consideration of the role of the pariah variable of intelligence. A major work that researchers and policy makers of both liberal and conservative persuasion will need to confront.

This timely book deals directly with a topic increasingly in the news and on the minds of policy makers—political inequality. It is no coincidence that the official theme of the 1996 meeting of the American Political Science Association is the issue of political inequality. Drawing together a number of the leading writers on the topic, White provides a full and serious examination of the biological and environmental factors that may be involved.

In looking at these factors, the book opens up new paths of exploration for political science, including the consideration of the role of the pariah variable of intelligence. A major work that researchers and policy makers of both liberal and conservative persuasion will need to confront.

Booknews

Papers from a 1995 panel, "Beyond "The Bell Curve": The Meaning for Political Science", consider the influence of biological factors in discussion of political inequality and its bearing on matters of public policy. Subjects include intelligence and America's oncoming economic divide, the hypertrophic basis of increasing political inequality, why "The Bell Curve" didn't go far enough on race, and the neurotoxicity hypothesis. Thought-provoking reading for academics, policy makers, and general readers. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

ELLIOTT WHITE is Professor of Political Science at Temple University.