UNTYING THE GORDIAN KNOT OF SOCIAL INHERITANCE

• Published in: Research in social stratification and mobility 2004, Vol.21, p.115-138
• Main Author: Esping-Andersen, Gøsta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Aptitude; Class Differences; Crosscultural Analysis; Inheritance and Succession; Opportunity Structures; Social Background; Social Inequality
• ISSN: 0276-5624; 1878-5654
• DOI: 10.1016/S0276-5624(04)21007-1

Uses the metaphor of the Gordian Knot to explore inequalities in life chances resulting from social inheritance & the likelihood of the "Knot" being loosened. Evidence that some countries are showing signs of greater equality of life chances is pointed out. A comparative study of various nations focuses on the magnitude of inequality in the distribution of human capital & mechanisms that reproduce or separate life chances from class origins. Gini coefficients for cognitive inequalities were constructed to determine how they are related to the strength of social inheritance. A more conventional analysis of the impact of social origins on cognitive skill development & educational attainment was also carried out. The results showed that levels of cognitive inequality are strongly & systematically related to the strength of class inheritance; however, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that public policy can loosen the Gordian Knot, ie, the link between class origins & cognitive & educational inequalities. The implications for educational reform & welfare state redistribution are discussed. 6 Tables, 1 Figure, 45 References. J. Lindroth