What class are you?

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pplpilot

Guru
Location
Knowle
Only seven classes?

They seem to be blind to the fact this country has an Underclass... Did they not see the rioting in 2011?
 

Flying_Monkey

Recyclist
Location
Odawa
Only seven classes?

They seem to be blind to the fact this country has an Underclass... Did they not see the rioting in 2011?

The 'Underclass' is a US term that is not widely accepted as a useful term of analysis. It's interesting how people seem to think that it's now common sense. It isn't.
 

pplpilot

Guru
Location
Knowle
The 'Underclass' is a US term that is not widely accepted as a useful term of analysis. It's interesting how people seem to think that it's now common sense. It isn't.

I never realised it was an American term, ill take it back then.

How about 'Scum class' or 'The Underbelly'
 

DCLane

Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
I'm apparently Elite. So at least I know where on the pile I stand :tongue:

However, it's not really me. Established middle class is more appropriate.

Oh, and yes, I do go to the theatre (and have acted!).
 

Flying_Monkey

Recyclist
Location
Odawa
I'm apparently established middle class. Can't be elite because I have no savings and don't like 'high culture' enough.

That particular test is very limited. Surely one of the most important tests of class status is mobility - how much you travel, how, where and why. In global terms, both the poorest and the richest are the most mobile - the former because they can be, and the latter because they have to be. Two other things that are missing here are: 1. any relation to classical Marxist class divisions - surely, owning 'the means of production' is still pretty damn important; and 2. consumer indicators (other than cultural ones) - most recent analysis of class has a significant element of consumption. I expect the actual research is more sophisticated, but I haven't read it yet. I do like Guy Standing's idea of the 'precariat' at least as a way of looking at things; whether it constitutes a 'class' is another matter.
 
I change from working class to middle class if I put in what I earn when I am working. Since when was class about money? Sure it helps but it's not the decider IMO. FWIW I'm from a long line of technical workers/struggling shopkeepers.
 

Flying_Monkey

Recyclist
Location
Odawa
I change from working class to middle class if I put in what I earn when I am working. Since when was class about money? Sure it helps but it's not the decider IMO. FWIW I'm from a long line of technical workers/struggling shopkeepers.

These new measures of class don't rely on old occupational divisions of social class. I think that's actually a problem too, because it's quite clear that in Britain, those things are still socially important, whether we agree with them or not.
 
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