Lecturer : Professor Rehbein - Humboldt University

The talk presents results of a comparative research project on social inequality in Brazil, Germany, Southeast Asia and India. Focusing on Germany, it argues that contrary to common knowledge, distinct class lines exist that are reproduced over many generations. It shows in detail how the classes constantly transform and at the same time reproduce their relative positions. Furthermore, it addresses the internal differention of classes, the mechanisms of their symbolic reproduction and drivers of change and mobility. Boike Rehbein is professor of sociology of Asia and Africa at Humboldt University, Berlin. He was visiting professor in Buenos Aires, Delhi, Santiago de Chile, Vientiane and Zurich. His work focuses on social theory, global inequality and Southeast Asia. Recent books in English include Globalization and Inequality in Emerging Societies (Palgrave 2011) and Critical Theory after the Rise of the Global South (Routledge 2015).