Losing control? Inequality and social divisions in Oslo

The debate on inequality and social divisions in Western cities has been do minated by three positions-the polarization thesis, the 'skills mismatch' t hesis and a specific European approach emphasizing the significance of welf are state structures. These three positions are examined with data from Osl o, Norway. It is shown that although income inequality has increased, there is no consistent pattern of social divisions. The evidence provides suppor t both for the polarization and the mismatch thesis, dependent on the unit of analysis and the group in question. It is difficult to spot influences o f the welfare state in these data, and it is argued that rising inequality, contrary to service provision, poverty and segregation, approaches a 'clos ed process'. Increased earnings at the very top, however, may be explained in terms of social networks.