How much and what kinds of inequality should a society have? This is one of the most basic questions for comparative social stratification research. This project will collect data on social inequality from respondents to the 1991 General Social Survey (the major data collection supported in the field of sociology) as part of the International Social Science Program, a continuing annual program of cross-national collaboration . The 1992 social inequality module replicates and extends the 1987 social inequality module which was fielded in 10 countries. In 1992, data collection is expected in 20 countries. These data will form the basis of cross-national comparisons, cross-time comparisons, and intra- individual comparisons. The social inequality module measures beliefs and perceptions regarding social inequality in general and income differences in particular. It examines 1) factors people believe influence social mobility, such as parental background, education, personal qualities, and fixed personal attributes; 2) reasons for social inequality, such as a reward for occupations with greater responsibility or requiring more education, elite domination, and exploitation; 3) beliefs as to what people earn in selected occupations and what they should earn; 4) support for government measures to provide for social welfare and promote income levelling; 5) the degree of social conflict between classes and economic groups; 6) inter-generational changes in occupation, education, and standard of living; 7) what factors should determine wage differentials; and 8) whether a respondent would personally benefit from a measure to equalize income. The project will contribute high-quality data that will create an unprecedented opportunity in the study of social stratification for linking knowledge of employment contexts, asked as a part of the 1991 General Social Survey, with information about inequality. The data collection will also make a contribution in the context of the growing internationalization of sociological research.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9122133
Program Officer
William Bainbridge
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-03-01
Budget End
1993-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
$100,000
Indirect Cost
Name
National Opinion Research Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637