Mainstream Traditions Of Social Stratification Theory: Marx, Weber, Pareto

Designed as a critical examination of the mainstream traditions of social stratification theory, this book propounds the theme that theoretical traditions of social stratification have their origin almost exclusively in the writings of Marx and Engels, Marx Weber and Mosca-Pareto School, and that despite many useful insights into, and observations upon, the structures of inequality offered by other classical theorists before them, no tradition could be established. The modern social stratification theories have shown remarkable affinity with the mono-dimensional tradition of Marx and Engels, multi-dimensional tradition of Max Weber, and particularistic tradition of Pareto. This work provides the reader with a detailed exposition of the theories of these three major figures and acquaints him with the modern development. Beginning with a discussion of the main theoretical orientations of social stratification, this study compares and contrasts the life, socio-cultural milieu, and intellectual itinerary of the three forerunners of social stratification theory-Marx Weber, and Pereto. This book, then, considered the social stratification theories of three men whose work is regarded as the more formal foundation of social stratification theory. In doing so, the examination of the fields development continues with the contributions of those who followed them. This leads the reader to the concluding and most important theme of this study- the debate with Marxian thought and how it shaped the theoretical traditions of social stratification.