Synopsis
Highly readable and comprehensive, Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes presents an introduction to key concepts, research findings, trends, and theories in the major forms of social inequality: class, racial/ethnic, gender, and political. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the subtle and often unseen ways in which inequality is structured and how it impinges on virtually all facets of individual and group life. Although the focus is primarily directed toward American society, the text presents numerous cross-national illustrations that compare income, wealth, poverty, mobility, gender, and other dimensions of stratification in the U.S. to other societies. Emphasis is placed on the interweaving nature of the different forms of social inequality and on the role of public policy and ideology in shaping and sustaining inequality.
From the Publisher
Completely updated statistics and research throughout. All chapters have been updated with the latest statistical data available. Additionally, several new tables and figures have been added and tables from the previous edition have been converted to bar graphs, lines graphs, and other more easily readable and accessible forms.
New and expanded topics including new examinations of the impact of the welfare reform measure of 1996, the new consumerism and its affect on the middle classes in American society, the state of inequality in America in light of the surging economy of the late 1990s, a discussion of modern-day forms of slavery, and a new section on sociopolitical movements.
Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of class issues. Discussions include the changing American class structure, the impact of economic restructuring on the middle classes, 'the middle class squeeze,' and the effects of deindustrialization on the continuing plight of the poor.
Chapter on public policy. Chapter 7 examines how government policies affect the distribution of social rewards and help shape the entire class system. Highlights of this chapter include an in-depth explanation of the welfare state and an in-depth discussion of affirmative action.
Coverage of racial, ethnic, and gender inequality. While structural issues of social class are the primary focus of the book, dimensions of racial and ethnic and gender inequality are explored in individual chapters and integrated into related chapters.
Chapter on ideology. Beginning with a discussion of the concept of ideology, Chapter 9 examines the ideologies that shape and drive the American class, racial, and gender systems.
Global coverage. Discussions include the impact of globalization on the changing American class structure, gender inequality in other contemporary societies, and comparisons of systems of stratification in different societies.
Effective pedagogy. Each chapter includes a chapter-opening vignette and a chapter summary to help guide students' reading of the chapter.
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