Privilege, Power and Difference delves deeply into the ideological battles surrounding the structures of privilege and oppression that pervade modern society. At the core of the book’s ideology is a challenge to the often-invisible systems that systematically grant advantages to some while putting others at a disadvantage based on race, gender, class, and/or other axes of identity. This approach aligns with the broader ideological debates about equity, justice, and the role of systemic structures in perpetuating inequality.

Unlike theories that may emphasize overt bigotry or intentional discrimination as the roots of social inequality, Johnson illuminates how privilege and oppression are embedded in the everyday workings of social institutions and interpersonal interactions. This perspective is based on the principles of intersectionality, which acknowledges how various forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and classism, interact and overlap in the lives of marginalized individuals or groups.

Furthermore, Johnson confronts the often-defensive reactions of those who benefit from societal structures of power and privilege—typically those who are white, male, or belong to the middle or upper classes. He argues that denial and resistance are significant barriers to social change, which places his work within ongoing ideological debates about responsibility and change.