Spatial aspects of social differentiation

Abstract

The article investigates the problems of spatial aspects and spatial conditions of social differentiation, in particular: social inequalities. It contains theoretical and methodological theses and proposals for research in that area. The starting assumption is that the phenomena of spatial conditioning of human chances are not adequately recognized in sociology. The reason for the above is that the mechanism of determining social structures through spatial structures, and especially through unequal distribution of generally desired goods, is hidden very deeply. Insufficient recognition of these problems by sociologists may have contributed to the poor understanding of these issues by politicians and spatial planners. In Poland, these phenomena have been analysed only (and not very often) with respect to regional aspects, or with respect to relations between the town and the village. Very little attention has been devoted to the analysis of these phenomena with respect to the internal structure of towns. The article referrs to the conception formulated by the British neoegalitarian school (especially to the works of R. E. Pahl) and formulates some research proposals pertinent to Polish conditions.Digitalizacja i deponowanie archiwalnych zeszytów RPEiS sfinansowane przez MNiSW w ramach realizacji umowy nr 541/P-DUN/201