Higher education and social stratification: an international comparative study

Analyses the social stratification process from a theoretical viewpoint; attempts to provide an historical and conceptual background for a "meta-analysis" of scholarly studies on equity in the field of education; observes that social stratification, viewed across the artificial dividing-line drawn between developing and industrialized countries, holds very significant and sometimes negative consequences for the educational and occupational careers of educated youth; concludes that although education instills skills, as regards social stratification, it tends to play the part of "Great Divider" rather than that of "Great Equaliser".