📖 Overview
Beyond Comparison: Sex and Discrimination examines the legal, philosophical and social foundations of sex discrimination law. The book analyzes how courts have approached questions of sex-based discrimination and equal treatment across multiple jurisdictions.
Macklem evaluates traditional equality frameworks that rely on comparing men and women's situations, revealing the limitations of comparison-based legal tests. Through analysis of case law and policy developments, he proposes alternative ways to conceptualize and address sex discrimination.
The work spans constitutional law, employment discrimination, and family law to demonstrate how sex discrimination manifests in various contexts. It engages with feminist legal theory while also drawing on insights from political philosophy and social science research.
The book makes a significant contribution to debates about formal versus substantive equality and the role of comparison in anti-discrimination law. Its analysis raises broader questions about justice, difference, and the transformative potential of law.
👀 Reviews
There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Patrick Macklem's overall work:
Limited reader sentiment is available for Patrick Macklem's academic works. Based on the available academic citations and reviews:
Readers liked:
- Clear explanations of complex constitutional and Indigenous rights concepts
- Thorough analysis of legal pluralism and sovereignty issues
- Integration of theoretical frameworks with practical legal applications
Readers disliked:
- Dense academic writing style that can be challenging for non-legal scholars
- Limited accessibility for general audiences interested in Indigenous rights
- Some criticism of theoretical positions being too abstract
Available ratings:
- "Indigenous Difference and the Constitution of Canada" has a 4.0/5 on Goodreads (3 ratings)
- "The Sovereignty of Human Rights" has a 5.0/5 on Amazon (2 reviews)
One academic reviewer noted: "Macklem provides a sophisticated theoretical framework for understanding Indigenous constitutional rights in Canada." Another mentioned that "the technical legal analysis may deter casual readers seeking an introduction to the topic."
Given the specialized academic nature of his work, comprehensive public reader reviews are limited.
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🤔 Interesting facts
📚 Patrick Macklem drew heavily from landmark Canadian discrimination cases to develop his arguments, particularly focusing on Andrews v. Law Society of British Columbia (1989)
🎓 The book challenges traditional equality theories by suggesting that discrimination should be understood through relationships of disadvantage rather than just comparative analysis
⚖️ Macklem was a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law when writing this book and served as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada
🔍 The text explores how different forms of discrimination—including gender, race, and disability—intersect and create unique patterns of disadvantage in society
📝 The book influenced subsequent Canadian legal scholarship on equality rights and helped shape the interpretation of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms