Premessa (Sociologia delle differenze e delle disuguaglianze)

In this introductory notes to the handbook edited by the same Author (see: “Sociologia delle differenze e delle disuguaglianze”), the centrality of the topics of social differences and social inequalities in the contemporary European society is stressed. In particular, the attention is focused on some demographic, social and institutional changes (such as the ageing process, the strengthening of international human mobility, the women’s revolution and the decline of welfare regimes) which have contributed to make these topics fundamental elements for the economic competitiveness and the social cohesion of European societies.