This best-selling text provides an incisive and engaging introduction to classical and contemporary sociological theory. Students are given a thorough explanation of the social construction of inequality based on a solid grounding in the work of the major classical theorists, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. The crucial role of power/domination unifies theoretical discussions. Updated perspectives in this new edition include the transnational or global level, regarding for example the issue of global terror.

Chapter 1: Theories of Social Inequality: An Introduction Chapter 2: Karl Marx and the Theory of Class Chapter 3: Max Weber and the Multiple Bases for Inequality Chapter 4: Durkheim, Social Solidarity, and Social Inequality Chapter 5: Structural Functionalism and Social Inequality Chapter 6: Recent Perspectives on Social Inequality Chapter 7: Theories of Social Inequality: A Summary and Evaluation References Index