Inequality and its perpetuation: a theory of social stratification

This book deals with a new
theory of social stratification
based on a critique of the existing
ones. It supplies what is lacking
in other works on the same
theme-a clear description of
the aspect of the reality dealt
with, a theoretical framework
with deductively related
propositions to explain it, and a
testing of hypotheses deduced
from theory-and represents the
first attempt at combining
theoretical formulation withn
empirical verification in the
treatment of the complex
problem of social inequalities.
Among the three major aspects
of inequalities namely, social
differentiation, social hierarchy
and their intergenerational
perpetuation, the nevw theory
focuses on the last aspect and
specifies conditions under wvhich
inequalities tend to be
perpetuated.
theories are found wanting
inasmuch as they fail to pinpoint
the aspect of inequalities under
consideration as in the case of
The existing
functional theories, neglect the
cultural snd psychological
dimensions of the problem as in
the case of the Marxian theory of
class, or use unscientific ideas as
in the case of the theories of
caste. With a refinement of the
Concepts of class and caste it is
shown that both these concepts