class and the establishment Flashcards
what’s deference?
an in-built idea that someone is superior to you, in-built respect for authority
explain the characteristics of British society around 1951:
-built upon deference and conformity
-everyone respected authority
what events caused a loss of deference in the 50s?
-suez crisis, revealed manipulation and corruption
-campaign for nuclear disarmament led to more people challenging authority
-scandals e.g. vassal scandal
what type of society was britain becoming?
people started to become less conformist, as people wanted their own opinions
what is the establishment?
the informal networks that connect the social and political elites
example of a challenge to the establishment: PCOS
-press coverage of scandals
-e.g. profumo affair, vassal scandal, argylle divorce
-this undermined the idea that you should be deferential to higher classes and authority, as the establishment was just as corrupt as everyone else
example of a challenge to the establishment: SB
-satire boom
-statire stage shows became popular e.g. beyond the fringe
-media forms began to slate the great and famous
-this made negative opinions of the establishment become more widespread in society
example of a challenge to the establishment: COTE
-critics of the establishment
-they said the elite were holding Britain back
-said it emphasised arts over science, blocked talent from outside the establishment and was dishonest and untrustworthy
example of a challenge to the establishment: SSIOC
-social scientists investigation of class
-they found that GB was a class ridden society
-said attitudes were entrenched and there was no social mobility
-suggested that leaders should earn their positions through merit
example of a challenge to the establishment: AYM
-angry young men
-they were a group of writers who rebelled against traditional theatre etc, and produced plays/books that more represented modern society
-their work was sarcastic, bitter, intense and bleak
