Themes and issues in the study of mobility and inequality across different populations and contexts:a commentary on Part II

This commentary explores key features of social mobility and inequality research illustrated collectively by the seven chapters in this part of the book. It highlights the ways in which recent research has drawn attention to heterogeneity in mobility process and explores how this heterogeneity can be fruitful in considering the mechanisms involved in generating mobility and inequality. The commentary, moreover, draws out five themes cross-cutting the discrete discussions within the chapters. First, the relevance and role of demographic processes; second, the role of place and selection into place; third, the importance of institutions for shaping mobility and inequality; fourth, that greater (upward and downward) mobility is not necessarily a positive outcome if it applies only to specific populations; and fifth, the question of the appropriate reference group for comparing experiences of mobility and inequality. These themes themselves constitute ways the study of social mobility and inequality can be taken forward.