Social stratification

Originally published in 2000, the book was written as a text for a course the author taught to first-year sociology students at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University. It has not been revised or supplemented for the current edition. < br> < br> The text is divided into four sections. In the first, the problem is defined and set in a broader theoretical framework. Social stratification is explained here both as a specific type of social structure and as distributional inequality. The second section is devoted to basic theories, both classical and contemporary. Its aim is not, nor could it be, to give an exhaustive overview of the successes and failures in this field of research to date. Readers will be introduced to the three main currents in contemporary theories and research on social stratification and learn about their roots in the works of the classics. If they are already familiar with the various interpretations of social inequalities, they will hopefully find it easier to digest the passage devoted to basic concepts and better understand the disputes about them. The basic concepts are therefore discussed in Part Three. On the basis of the last section, readers should then get a general idea of how research on social stratification is done and gain a healthy sceptical perspective on empirically based conclusions. Included is a brief account of research on social stratification in this country and a passage reporting on the complications that women's employment has introduced into the study of class structure. After each chapter, the reader will find a brief summary and recommended references. However, each teacher should update and supplement it in accordance with the concept of his/her course. < br> In selecting individual topics, problems and authors, the author was guided primarily by the desire to provide students with a basic guide to reading contemporary Czech and international literature on the subject and at the same time to maintain a manageable scope for a one-semester course. The aim was to show the problem from different perspectives, not to impose any of them on the students as far as possible and thus avoid value judgements.