Evidence of Class Inequality

McDonough

• Middle class are successful in passing on values of hard work and educational achievement.
• Most sons of higher proffessionals end up in similae jobs.

Lansley

• Wealth inequality linked to tax inequality
• Rich have more advantageous tax
• Most of the 300 companies in the virgin group are registered off shore to avoid taxes e.g. Philip Green who owns Topshop.

Savage

-His survey data was used to identify 3 types of m/c lifestyles.

• Postmodern = diverse interests, extravagant tastes, health conscious.
• Ascetic = high cultural capital, modest economic capital, leisure = individualistic and intellectual.
• Managerial = least distinctive, conventional activities, more country side and heritage related issues.

Roberts - 3 main 'preoccupations'

• Service = particulary in relationship with employer.
• Career = seek opportunities for progression and promotion: linked to aspiration for children.
• Meritocracy = positions should be achieved by ability and effort.

Scott

• Education: top public schools, most prestigious universities; social contact made in school/uni give access to positions of power and influence 'old boy network'. Socialised into high levels of self confidence and social superiority.
• Family, marriage and kinship: exclusive lifestyle; socialise with other u/c; more intermarriage.
• Social and Leisure activities: 'The Season' - exclusive social events e.g. Henley regatta, Ascot, hunting and shooting.

Weber (1864 -1920)

• Classes formed in the market place e.g. one group hire labour, another sell their market.
• The rewards (life chances) that arise from this help explain class. Similar classes have similar life chances.
• Stresses that non-economic factors can affect life chances, especially status.
• Economic position may be different to status, e.g. nurses lack wealth but have high status.

Murray - Critical view of the u/c

• Lazy, workshy - 'new rabble'
• Welfare system creates a dependency.
• Underclass chose welfare over work.
• Young women see single parent hood as normal life course.
• Young men repeat pattern of absent, jobless fathers.
• Poor male role model contribute to juvenile crime rates.

X - <span style="font-size: 120%;">Murray 'blames the victim' and takes no account of social exclusion.

X - Dean and Taylor-Gooby argue that the underclass share the same values as everyone else in society and are not distinct group in that sense.

X - Saunders problems reinforced by economic situation - 'sooner or later the uemployed become unemployable'.</span>