Social stratification and inequality
This research focus area in quantitative historic sociology is where sociology and social history intersect. It studies differences in the openness of societies, the extent of these differences and whether there is a trend towards more social mobility in (parts of) the world. If there is, what are the driving factors behind this development? Following modernisation theory, it is argued that there is a trend to move away from more traditional societies, in which one's social standing is inherited, and move toward more open societies, in which social standing depends on individual performance.
Examples of our research
Mutual Insurance 1550-2015
From Guild Welfare and Friendly Societies to Contemporary Micro-Insurers.