Inequality among men

This book presents a general and com-
parative account of social inequality.
It identifies two basic sources of
inequality, both of which are inherent
in any social system: first, evaluation,
since all societies evaluate, and hence
place in order, objects, activities and
individuals; and second, organisation,
since any society is governed by rules
whose enforcement inevitably leads to
inequalities in the distribution of
power.
Status and power are universal forms
of inequality. The author analyses
their varying nature and type, by
means of examples drawn from a
number of societies. He continues
with a discussion of inequalities of
class and race which, while not uni-
versal, nevertheless have been of great
historical significance. In each of these
cases, the ultimate roots of inequality
are shown to lie in status or power. In
conclusion, the author examines the
phenomenon of continuity and
change, and the concept of the egali-
tarian society.
Written in a non-technical style,
Inequality among Men unites within a
single framework the perspectives of
social anthropology and sociology.
André Béteille is Professor of Socio-
logy at the University of Delhi. He has
also lectured at universities in Britain,
France, the United States, Canada
and Australia, and has written a
number of books.