Unit 6: Social inequality is a very important characteristic of all societies. In modern societies the basis for such inequalities is social class. In earlier societies it may have been based upon caste, the estate system, age or gender. This unit looks principally at classes, castes and estates. Inequality based upon race, age and gender are examined in Unit 7.
We will see that the basis of social inequality is increasingly tied to the social and economic structure of the society. As we have changed the economic base of our communities, the base of social inequality has also changed. In an earlier period the inequality is linked to land and control of that form of wealth. Today inequality is more likely to be linked to occupation, education and the control of production of goods and services.