New Books Network Joe Greenwood-Hau," Capital, Privilege and Political Participation" (Liverpool UP, 2025)
Nov 26, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Joe Greenwood-Hau, a Lecturer at the John Smith Centre, dives into his research on political participation and social inequality. He explores who gets involved in politics, examining the roles of economic, social, and cultural capital in shaping engagement. Joe illuminates how perceptions of privilege affect political involvement and shares eye-opening survey findings on inequality. He emphasizes practical solutions like outreach and civic education to enhance participation, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in democracy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Political Upbringing Shaped Research
- Joe Greenwood-Hau grew up with two politically active parents which made politics feel normal to him.
- That upbringing led him into campaigning and the question of why campaigns attract only certain types of people.
Politics Beyond Just Voting
- Greenwood-Hau defines political participation broadly across six categories including contacting, collective acts, volunteering, donating and voting.
- He focuses on actions intended to change or conserve elements of society rather than a narrow vote-only definition.
Unearned Privilege And Capital
- Greenwood-Hau distinguishes unearned structural privilege from earned advantages tied to occupation or merit.
- He treats stocks of economic, social and cultural capital as both products and mechanisms of that privilege.
