On The Verge of Convergence
Social Stratification in Eastern Europe
Henryk Domanski, Professor of Sociology at
the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish
Academy of Sciences
Based upon unparalleled comparative surveys and newly
obtained data, Domanski's new book provides a major
contribution to the study of social transformation in
Central and Eastern Europe after 1989. Focusing on Bulgaria,
the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Slovakia,
the author provides substantial comparative information
relating to social structure, mobility, inequality,
lifestyle and economic stratification.
Applying the Erikson-Goldthorpe classification of class
positions, Domanski effectively presents fully comparable
data to enable political comparisons to be made with
other countries, especially those with firmly established
free-market economies.
On the Verge of Convergence contributes to a
clearer understanding of the on-going process of social
transformation within developing capitalist societies.
"... not only contributes to the understanding
of various issues specific to the transformation in
post-communist countries, but also enables the making
of more general conclusions about the `laws` of social
mobility, and it therefore deserves appreciation...
Its findings are relevant not only for ECE, but for
the studies of social stratification in general."
- European Sociological Review
"Henryk Domanski is not worried about stating
the elementary truth that east central European countries
'have no choice but to copy the institutional framework
of the capitalist world`. He deserves our appreciation
for this frankness." - Slavic Review
"... contributes positively to our understanding
of the process of transformation in Central Eastern
Europe... a valuable contribution to stratification
studies." - Slavonic and East European Review
(London)
Contents
Introduction. Chapter 1: Peasant societies -
market societies? The touch of modernization Chapter
2: Social mobility rates and patterns: Basic continuity
Chapter 3: Economic stratification: Similarities,
differences and emerging change Chapter 4: The
debate on owners: Nomenklatura or self-recruitment?
Chapter 5: Distribution of incomes Chapter 6:
Culture and lifestyle Chapter 7: Religion - a
stage on the road to modernization Conclusion.
Appendix. References
2000
200 pages
ISBN 978-963-9116-81-8 cloth $44.95 / €37.95 / £28.95
ISBN 978-963-9116-82-5 paperback $21.95 / €18.95 / £14.95
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