Macro-Micro Linkages and the Role of Mechanisms in Social Stratifi cation Research*

Abstract: This article explores the role of theory-building in social stratifi ca-tion research, a sub-fi eld of sociology whose theoretical development has not kept pace with methodological, statistical, and empirical advancements. In particular, the article proposes a new conceptual framework based on social mechanisms and the multileveled nature of the stratifi cation process. Concep-tual frameworks, which map out general principles of social organisation and social processes, are useful in guiding researchers ’ choice of methods and re-search resign. The authors argue that the identifi cation of social mechanisms needs to be a core aspect of sociological explanation, and thus integrated into the conceptual frameworks researchers use. They apply social mechanisms to a conception of social change involving micro-to-macro linkages. The result-ing conceptual framework is then applied to stratifi cation research, where the authors observe that the micro-to-macro linkage is one of the least explored, and also one of the most promising, areas of future research, particularly for areas of the world undergoing rapid social transformation