The Most Class-Ridden Country Under the Sun"

Question 1

Introduction:

Answer 1

• Orwell’s depiction of Britain as deeply inequalitarian.
• Influence of monarchy, aristocracy, and unelected House of Lords on class

Question 2

History of the Notion of Class:

Answer 2

• Emergence of modern class theory with Karl Marx during the industrial revolution.
• Marx’s class theory:Proletariat vs. bourgeoisie, class struggle, and class consciousness.
• Bourdieu’s expanded view of class:Economic, social, and cultural capital.

Question 3

Class as Social Distinction:

Answer 3

• Objective economic inequalities and subjective cultural distinctions.
• Class encompasses occupation, income, education, tastes, lifestyle, manners, and accent.
• Bourdieu’s theory of class based on various forms of capital.

Question 4

Relevance of Class Today:

Answer 4

• Transformation of class perceptions over the 20th century.
• Shift towards white-collar jobs, improved standards of living, and mobility.
• Decline of class-focused political rhetoric, rise of individualism, and intersectionality.
• Persistence of class divisions despite decreased emphasis on class in political discourse.