September 30, 2012
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Social Class and Basic Values
World events and the current American political contest has led to more attention being paid the the social class structures of different countries and cultures than is generally the case. American political opponents have accused each other of “Class Warfare” and some Middle Eastern leaders have accused the US of trying to impose its version of class and moral structure on their nations with little regard to traditional Islamic values.
In all cultures, economic success plays a part in determining class structure and status, but other factors are also important: Heredity, Education, popularity, political or religious standing, are all among other factors which make up social standing.
How would you characterize Social Class in America? How many classes do we have and how are they structured? Where do you fit?
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Comments (7)
Wow I could write all day on that. But only a small class of people would be interested in reading it. Most prefer putting all their mental energy in the Football and its referee issues and watching “dancing with the stars”. That is a show that receives more votes in a week than the USAs presidential race will get.
I will see if i do have time for this or not I hope you do well with it
anyone who knows who i am
In America there is a tiny ruling class, a small upper-middle class, a dying working class, and an ever-growing serving/serfdom/debt-slave class. I am a member of the last.
When the ruling class realized democracy could potentially stop their ravaging of our planet for their own profit, they pulled a clever maneuver and invented the modern media and modern politics. Currently Americans live under the illusion that they have a two-party system, and these parties somehow have differing interests and values. In reality, most political influences in the country are controlled by the same group of people and dominated by the same ideas: whether they know it or not, both large American parties are allowing American jobs to be destroyed through outsourcing and race-to-the bottom economics.
@autumn_cannibal76 - Your complaint is one I am familiar with. In modern times many members of various cultures feel that they are left out of social decision making or have been exploited by the upper classes. In a democracy, those disaffected members do have the ability to organize and influence decision making. If you are dissatisfied with the direction and control of the existing political parties, you can either associate with like-minded people to start a new party, or organize to take over one of the existing political parties as the “Tea Party”movement has with the Republican Party.
@Socrates_Cafe - It ain’t easy to do either of those things, but it sure is good advice. I hope a lot of people follow it!
The American class structure is interesting. It has traditionally been based on several factors:
Race/ethnic background
Inheritance/ancestry
Personal fortune
Education
Occupation
Religion
notoriety
Location
This probably sounds complicated – it is. How these factors interact changes over time – they are the result of social consensus. You can’t declare your social class, it is the result of the opinion of those who know you.
American social class loosely divides into Upper, Middle, and Lower. If personal fortune is the main criteria, the upper 5-10% of $ income may be in the upper class – but they must meet other criteria : occupation (bank robbers don’t fit), notoriety, etc. The middle class is the largest – mainly because everyone fits themselves and their neighbors into this category – we generally include most workers in this class and it in turn is divided into many sub-classes. The lower class generally includes those who are chronically poor – jobless – on welfare.
The problem comes when you try to fit individuals into the system. Where would you place an Episcopal Bishop? Above or below a Evangelical mega-church pastor? Suppose one or the other was Black? Hispanic?
Would an upper class person of Hattisburg Mississippi be upper class in New York?
Where do you fit? Name an upper class person you’ve heard of and see who agrees.