THE STRUCTURES OF INEQUALITY: CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Abstract

This study critically investigates the multidimensional nature of social stratification and inequality in Pakistan, examining how disparities manifest across class, gender, ethnicity, and geography. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative data from 300 survey respondents with qualitative insights from 30 in-depth interviews conducted in both urban and rural contexts. Drawing on existing scholarship on structural mechanisms, institutional practices, and lived experiences, the study explores how inequality is produced and sustained. Findings reveal substantial disparities in access to education, employment opportunities, and perceptions of institutional fairness, particularly among rural populations, women, and ethnic minorities. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds report systemic exclusion, whereas those from upper classes are more likely to perceive meritocracy and institutional equity. Interpreted through the theoretical lenses of intersectionality, Bourdieu’s theory of capital, and Wright’s class analysis, the study bridges theoretical discourse with empirical realities, deepening the understanding of inequality reproduction within Pakistan’s postcolonial neoliberal framework. Policy recommendations emphasize reforms in education, labor equity, gender and ethnic inclusion, and participatory governance. Overall, this research contributes a localized, empirically grounded perspective to the global discourse on inequality by centering marginalized voices and examining socio-demographic dynamics in context.