Abstract

In the leading sociological journals since 1989 a debate is rumbling on between economic sociologists about the question of what the effects are of the introduction and expansion of markets in (post)communist societies on their system of social stratification. In this essay the questions and answers in that debate are reconstructed. Their quality is assessed by confronting them with (meta)theoretical considerations and empirical findings. None of the theories involved (new institutionalism, power conversion theory, modernisation theory) proves to be without flaws. A synthesis suggested by several authors seems to promise more success. What is lacking, however, in that synthesis is the idea that the legitimizing and motivating role of the prevailing ideologies mitigates the effect of the market transition on the social stratification of (post)communist societies.

How to Cite:

Arts, W., (2007) “Na de fluwelen revoluties: markttransitie en sociale ongelijkheid in Oost-Europa”, Tijdschrift voor Sociologie 28(1), 5–24. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86671