RETHINKING SOCIAL DIVISIONS - SOME NOTES TOWARDS A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This paper attempts to provide a framework for theorising the social d ivisions of gender, ethnicity and class in terms of parameters of diff erentiation and inequality which lie at the heart of 'the social'. The paper argues that there are common parameters to the social divisions of gender, ethnicity, 'race' (and class) in terms of categories of di fference and positionality. The paper explores the distinctive ontolog ical spaces or domains of gender and ethnos and argues that their stud y must be undertaken in local and specific contexts paying attention t o their articulation. The articulation of the different social process es at the experiential, intersubjective, organisational and representa tional levels produces specific social outcomes. Finally, a schematic outline of some of these articulations is presented.