ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses approaches to inequality that have been advanced in the disciplines of economics and sociology. It argues that a communication between both disciplines is necessary to make sense of the drastic increase in socioeconomic inequalities that are observing at present. The chapter seeks neither to trace the history of research in the field nor to give an overview of all available data. It also seeks to assess the most relevant contributions in view of a research agenda that encompasses the virtues of existing approaches while avoiding their shortcomings and pitfalls. The chapter distinguishes between three traditions of research on inequality, each of which has been elaborated in both economics and sociology. It discusses the main issues of contemporary inequality that have been acknowledged by the three traditions and that need to be taken into account. The chapter concludes with the discussion by critically assessing the explanatory power of existing approaches and by pointing to desiderata in theory building.
