This book addresses some basic issues and topics in the sociology of majority-minority relationships and attempts to evaluate and reformulate the conceptual and theoretical tools of the field. It is argued in Part I that majority-minority relationships must be understood as a case study in social stratification and as an opportunity for the study of total societies. A comparative perspective is employed in order to depict the distinctive features of the United States as a pluralistic society. In addition, various typological approaches to the study of minority groups are examined. Part II turns to the social processes of intergroup relations in the U.S. Chapter Three traces the historical emergence of the ideas of assimilation, amalgamation, and cultural pluralism, as well as the application and development of these theories in American sociology. Chapter Four places the study of majority-minority relationships in the context of social theory, and especially social conflict theory. Part III explores three related aspects of the consequences of intergroup conflicts. Chapter Five reviews some major trends of theory and research about prejudice and discrimination. Chpater Six constitutes a case study in the sociology of science. Finally, in a brief epilogue, the social meanings of minority group membership are examined from the perspective of role theory. (Author/JM)