Representations and measurements of inequality. Theoretical and methodological reflections

Abstract

Concern for social stratification processes is one of the keys to the formation of classical sociological theories. Today there are sophisticated methodologies for empirical analysis of inequality, but rarely lead to ambitious causal explanations of social morphology. The inequality plays a crucial role as an independent variable in explaining a wide range of social phenomena ranging from post-modern subjective experience to serious conflicts with the international division of labour. This article discusses the features that should have indicators of inequality theories capable of nurturing long-range social theories, indicating the limitations of some of the indicators used today and bringing to light some intuitive proposals conceptualization and representation social stratification. In particular, the contrast between wages and heritage, the timescale in which the indicators are analyzed and the usefulness of some methods of representation such as the “Income Parade” will arise will be assessed.