Inequality in American Communities is an empirical study of inequality in U.S. communities and its impact on individual Americans. The data for this study come from sample surveys in six American cities differing in size and region. In each survey, male heads of households were asked about attributes that ranked them in the system of inequality and about a variety of attitudes and behaviors that might be affected by their ranks. The analyses seek to determine how social rank affects various attitudes and behaviors and compare these effects from community to community.Comprised of 12 chapters, this book begins with an overview of theoretical assumptions about community stratification, with particular reference to how a person's life is shaped by his position in a local structure of inequality. The discussion then turns to patterns of social stratification in six cities: Columbus (Ohio), Linton and Indianapolis (Indiana), and Yuma, Safford, and Phoenix (Arizona). The distributions of various rank variables, such as income and education, in these cities are described, along with the ways in which they are related to form systems of inequality. A basic model of the processes of stratification is also presented. The remaining chapters explore the consequences of social rank and cover topics ranging from social participation and political ideology to anomia and intolerance.This monograph will be of interest to sociologists.

Preface 1 Inequality in the Community Theoretical Orientations on Community Stratification Objectives of the Study Data and Methods A Description of the CommunitiesPart I Inequality in Six Communities 2 Patterns of Inequality The Interrelatedness of Ranks Rigidity in Community Stratification Systems Summary and Conclusions 3 Processes of Inequality A Basic Model of the Stratification Process The Role of Racial-Ethnic Rank Summary and Conclusions 4 Perceptions of Inequality Do Americans Perceive a Class Structure in Their Communities? Class Placement by Self and Others Perceptions of Class Dissensus on Public Issues Perceptions of Legitimate Success Summary and ConclusionsPart II Consequences of Social Rank 5 Models of Rank Effects Are Rank Effects Additive? Are Rank Effects Linear? Is a Unidimensional Model Adequate? An Exploration of Multidimensional Models Summary and Conclusions 6 Satisfaction: Balancing Aspirations and Success The Measurement of General Satisfaction Social Rank and General Satisfaction Effects Due to City and to Control Variables Summary and Conclusions 7 Informal Social Participation: Visiting and Friendship Social Participation and Community Social Structure Social Participation and Hierarchy Rates of Visiting and Values about Visiting Differential Association: A Basis for Class Cultures? Summary and Conclusions 8 Formal Social Participation Associations, the Communication Network, and Community Influence Types of Formal Participation Effects of Rank on Formal Social Participation Rank, Formal Participation, and Political Activity Summary and Conclusions 9 Political Ideology and Party Identification Conservatism and Class Interests Domestic Liberalism and Party Identification Rank Effects on Political Orientations Mediating Factors: Why Does Rank Affect Political Orientations? Summary and Conclusions 10 Anomia Anomia, Social Rank, and Community Integration Measuring Anomia Which Social Ranks Affect Anomia? Why Are Men of Low Rank More Anomic? Frustration and Perceptions of Opportunity and Legitimacy as Intervening Variables Summary and Conclusions Interpretations 11 Intolerance Expectations from Theory Four Varieties of Intolerance Effects of Rank on Four Forms of Intolerance Summary and Conclusions 12 Conclusions and Implications The Effects of Social Rank Do Systems of Inequality Differ across Communities?ReferencesIndex