Understanding the inequality problematic - From scholarly rhetoric to theoretical reconstruction

Research in the area of inequality has not been accompanied by the development of inclusive theory. Despite a growing knowledge base, we are lacking a comparably strong understanding of how gender race, and class operate simultaneously. In part because of specialization within the discipline, sociologists' call for the analysis of gender, race, and class is largely rhetorical. Any effort to remedy these limitations requires a return to fundamental assumptions. Especially important in this regard is that researchers explore mechanisms that (re)produce inequalities and then integrate these insights into a more comprehensive and dynamic theoretical frame. To this end the author develops and offers a theory of inequality processes bared on two central claims: embeddedness and social relations. By reconceptualizing gender race, and class inequality as a set of embedded processes that exist only in relationship to each other avenues for development in sociological theory, research, and practice become more apparent.