Presents a comprehensive overview of social inequality by providing theoretical and historical background to ways of approaching this topic and examining the sources and consequences of social stratification.

This book presents an introduction to the concept of social inequality. It provides a theoretical and historical background to ways of approaching this topic and discusses classic and modern theories of stratification. After identifying the key concepts of this topic, the book lays out evidence on the nature and extent of contemporary social and economic inequality. It then considers categorical forms of inequality, notably, race, class, and gender. Finally, the book examines sources of social inequality and discusses political consequences of stratification and different policy responses.