Introduction to Sociology: Reflection Essay – an illustrative example

Savage et al.’s article on class identification

 

The article discusses how people are unsure and confused about their class identity. Whereas traditional Marxist analysis of class relations suggests that people would have a developed class-consciousness and awareness because of their objective class position and real class struggles, Savage et al. argues that people, in fact, have a weak class identification. A key argument of the article is that most people are ambivalent and defensive about their class status, preferring to be regarded as ‘ordinary’ or ‘normal’.

The first reason to support the argument is that many respondents in the study experience class mobility. This means that they do not stay in one class position permanently, but change over the course of their life. Consequently, some feel unsure how to locate themselves in the class structure. They could either be defensive of their previous status, or protective of their new one.

The second reason to support the argument is that while many respondents can identify a class structure ‘out there’, and classify others in terms of class, they feel awkward about self-identification. It seems that they feel personally threatened by placing themselves in a class hierarchy, which is after all a set of power relations. Furthermore, they are unclear how they can use appropriate criteria to know their true class identities. Combining these points, many respondents wish to be treated as just individuals, and not to be labelled as belonging to one or another class.

However, there are some reasons to doubt the key argument. The first reason, as correctly mentioned in the article, is that for some respondents class still is a political badge, and signals their political allegiance. For instance, to claim to be working class may imply that one is left wing, whereas claiming to be upper middle class can mark one as right wing. While it may be difficult for people to communicate their class position on economic grounds, for many identifying a class represents a political belonging. In other words, the term ‘class’ has a political significance and meaning.

The second reason to counter the key argument is that the people may be suffering from false consciousness. This means that people are influenced by various kinds of ideologies to mystify and conceal their true identity. It is not that people are unsure about their class position, but rather they have been socialised into thinking that class relations do not matter. For instance, the newspapers and television try to avoid presenting economic and political conflicts (such as strikes and pay negotiations) as a result of class struggle and conflict of class interests. In so doing, the media preserves the interests of the dominant and ruling class in the society.

In conclusion, the article is thought provoking about established ideas on class-consciousness and identity. It argues convincingly that for many people class is a difficult concept to identify with because it invokes power relations such as subordination and suppression. Clearly, it is understandable that people feel defensive about voicing their class positions, and so wish to be seen as being just ‘normal’ and ‘ordinary’.

 

Balihar Sanghera 26 October 2004

Word count: 532