This book addresses how people think about inequalities of race, gender, class, status, and power, and it focuses on why social inequality is perceived as fair and legitimate. Work on stereotyping and internalization of inferiority helps to explain why the oppressed do not revolt. The book has important implications for leadership and politics and for understanding how businesses and governments maintain their legitimacy to customers and public audiences.

This new volume on Social and Psychological Bases of Ideology and System Justification brings together several of the most prominent social and political psychologists who are responsible for the resurgence of interest in the study of ideology, broadly defined. Leading scientists and scholars from several related disciplines, including psychology, sociology, political science, law, and organizational behavior present their cutting-edge theorizing and research. Topics include the social, personality, cognitive and motivational antecedents and consequences of adopting liberal versus...