sábado, 25 de mayo de 2013

Class in British society

A few weeks ago the BBC reported on the results of a survey of the social structure in Britain in XXI century.

It seems that the traditional three-class system (upper, middle and working class) has been replaced with this more elaborate seven-class system:
  • Elite - the most privileged group in the UK, distinct from the other six classes through its wealth. This group has the highest levels of all three capitals.
  • Established middle class - the second wealthiest, scoring highly on all three capitals. The largest and most gregarious group, scoring second highest for cultural capital
  • Technical middle class - a small, distinctive new class group which is prosperous but scores low for social and cultural capital. Distinguished by its social isolation and cultural apathy.
  • New affluent workers - a young class group which is socially and culturally active, with middling levels of economic capital.
  • Traditional working class - scores low on all forms of capital, but is not completely deprived. Its members have reasonably high house values, explained by this group having the oldest average age at 66.
  • Emergent service workers - a new, young, urban group which is relatively poor but has high social and cultural capital.
  • Precariat, or precarious proletariat - the poorest, most deprived class, scoring low for social and cultural capital.
Drop by the BBC webpage and read the article that explains the ins and outs of today's British society. You will also be able to take the test so that you can find out where you would fit in the British social class system, and you will also be able to listen to an radio interview where these results are explained.