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The Matthew Effect

How Advantage Begets Further Advantage

By: Daniel Rigney

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Hardcover | 23 February 2010 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover
176 Pages

Age
22+

Dimensions(cm)
2.19 x 1.55 x 0.19

Hardcover

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The old saying does often seem to hold true: the rich get richer while the poor get poorer, creating a widening gap between those who have more and those who have less. The sociologist Robert K. Merton called this phenomenon the Matthew effect, named after a passage in the gospel of Matthew. Yet the more closely we examine the sociological effects of this principle, the more complicated the idea becomes. Initial advantage doesn't always lead to further advantage, and disadvantage doesn't necessarily translate into failure. Does this theory need to be revisited?

Merton's arguments have significant implications for our conceptions of equality and justice, and they challenge our beliefs about culture, education, and public policy. His hypothesis has been examined across a variety of social arenas, including science, technology, politics, and schooling, to see if, in fact, advantage begets further advantage. Daniel Rigney is the first to evaluate Merton's theory of cumulative advantage extensively, considering both the conditions that uphold the Matthew effect and the circumstances that cause it to fail. He explores whether growing inequality is beyond human control or disparity is socially constructed and subject to change. Reexamining our core assumptions about society, Rigney causes us to rethink the sources of inequity.

Industry Reviews

Rigney's summary of the latest research findings should contribute to a much needed discussion between policy makers, social scientists, and the general public. Publishers Weekly [A] cogent book. -- Steven Poole Guardian

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Society & Culture Social Groups Social Classes Reference, Information & Interdisciplinary Subjects Encyclopaedias & Reference Works Reference Works Social Issues & Processes Feminism & Feminist Theory Social Services & Welfare Social Welfare & Social Services Social Work

Sociology & Anthropology Sociology Social Research & Statistics

Preface	p. vii
What is The Matthew Effect?	p. 1
The Origin of the Term	p. 4
The Parable of the Monopoly Game	p. 6
Absolute Versus Relative Matthew Effects	p. 8
The Matthew Effect in Mertonian Theory	p. 13
Matthew Effects in Science and Technology	p. 25
Matthew Effects in Science	p. 25
Matthew Effects in Technology	p. 31
Matthew Effects in The Economy	p. 35
Economic Matthew Mechanisms	p. 37
Circular Causation and the Matthew Effect: Myrdal Meets Merton	p. 46
Matthew Effects in Politics and Public Policy	p. 53
Matthew Effects in Politics	p. 53
Matthew Effects in Public Policy: The Case of Tax Law	p. 66
Matthew Effects in Education and Culture	p. 75
Matthew Effects in Education	p. 75
The Accumulation of Cultural Capital	p. 82
Implications and Conclusions	p. 87
The Matthew Effect: Natural Law or Social Construct?	p. 87
Social Benefits and Costs of Matthew Effects	p. 90
Egalitarian and Inegalitarian Traditions	p. 93
Countervailing Forces	p. 97
Conclusion: The Goose and the Golden Egg	p. 104
Appendix: Trends in Economic Inequality	p. 107
Is There Growing Economic Inequality in the United States?	p. 107
Is There Growing Economic Inequality Around the World?	p. 115
Notes	p. 123
References	p. 133
Index	p. 151
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

The Matthew Effect

How Advantage Begets Further Advantage

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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