Inequality in the 21st Century

Inequality in the 21st Century was published by Routledge in 2017 as part of their efforts to synthesize complex sociological data regarding socioeconomic disparities. Edited by David B. Grusky, a prominent professor of sociology at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality, the volume was designed to serve as a foundational reader for scholars and students. It compiles essential essays and research papers that track the evolution of economic and social stratification, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding how structural forces have shaped the modern landscape of inequality.

The book’s design and editorial focus reflect Grusky’s long-standing academic commitment to evidence-based policy. By curating work from diverse contributors, the volume aims to move beyond theoretical debates to address concrete mechanisms such as labor market changes, education gaps, and the role of public institutions. Upon its release, it was received as a significant pedagogical resource, recognized for its utility in graduate-level coursework and for its ability to condense decades of sociological discourse into a coherent, accessible structure for those researching the intensifying wealth gaps characteristic of the current century.