Social Stratification and Inequality

By Harold R. Kerbo

Book Overview

In his newly revised fourth edition, Harold Kerbo continues to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date exploration of the economic and social divisions in human societies. While the book is grounded in the nature of social stratification in the United States, the fourth edition maintains a commitment to keeping a global perspective. To that end, this edition includes detailed timely information on stratification around the world, addressing the ways in which governments, corporations, and workers cope with milestone changes such as greater European unification and an increased U.S economic presence. Extensive comparative information, as well as an overview of how, historically, social stratification has changed and evolved, gives readers a global perspective on class conflict. Praised for its thorough research and scholarship, the new edition includes current statistics and the latest trends in the field. Each chapter has been fully updated to include new material on the cornerstones of social stratification; the growing poverty rate, the effects of welfare reform on gender and race inequality, and the status of global attempts to relieve social stratification in the wake of continued changes in the world system.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 007034258X
• ISBN13: 9780070342583
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill College
• Length: 574 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

A Favorite Soc Textbook

I had to purchase this book for class and it's become one of my favorite textbooks thus far. Kerbo is clearly biased, however he does present different and conflicting theories, and criticisms of said theories, to every issue explored in the book - and there's a LOT packed in. I think he did a very good job of attempting to tackle so much and focus on areas with the most study done on them. He also makes it clear that more research needs to be done as we are far from finding all the answers. As for readability, there are a few chapters that are extremely dry - lots of numeral figures to illustrate his points. However, the entire book is extremely eye-opening and there are many useful graphs and charts to help present the data.

ilikebikes

I placed the order online. The order process was easy. They offered new and used textbooks. I had ordered a used book for the set price, and when I received the book, the cost was less and the book was in excellent condition. Delivery was within quoted time.

Buy this book!

Kerbo provides brilliant insight into economic and global stratification, along with detailed discussions of classic and modern theories. This is one of the best books on the topic and I have found it quite useful in a variety of academic situations. Some people that are critical of Kerbo's short sections on race and class should be reminded of the interconnectedness of social and economic problems. Inequality between both sex and race cannot be seperated from the consequences of capitalism.

Social Stratification and Inequality

READ THIS BOOK!! You need to truly understand the class system in America and the means used to sustain it. This book is a fantastic survey of the class system in American society. It also includes analyses of world stratification systems and various theories surrounding these systems. Previous reviews of this book have had a narrow focus, rather than making judgement on a wholistic basis. A must-read to be sure!