Abstract
In Holland, vertical pluralism has historical roots which are analysed in the first part. The second part gives a structural analysis of the frequency and inten sity of this pluralism. Thus the internal dynamism of the social phenomenon becomes clear. The quantita tive relations between the neutral groups and those whose inspiration is religious, are studied from various points of view: that of the degree of institutionaliza tion of the cultural barriers; that of the degree of integration and over-lapping; and that of the percen tages of persons engaged in the religious or neutral organisations.
In the third and fourth paragraphs, vertical pluralism is replaced in the general context of sociology and in the sociology of religion in particular, and a functio nal study of it is done according to the schema of ana lysis of R.K. Merton.