Class - Sharpes

Question 1

When does Sharpes write?

Answer 1

2019

Question 2

Thesis and themes

Answer 2

Class inequality through anxiety and inferiority
- Resistance of othering

Unsecure credit -> cultural good -> struggle against own class position to enhance perception by others

Question 3

What gap in research does this fill?

Answer 3

Accounts for
- Resistance against class positions
- Consumption and financial resources
in class analysis

Financial resources in allowing consumption rather than just how much is consumed

Question 4

Since when has personal credit been massive in Britain?

Answer 4

2014

Question 5

How much of British households are in problem debt?

Answer 5

8%

Question 6

What is class?

Answer 6

Multi-dimensional
Bourdieu’s class scheme

Economic, social, cultural capital

Question 7

What is consumption?

Answer 7

Dispositional terms = how it is consumed not just what is consumed = shaped by bodily/cultural disposition

Bourdieu = consumption reproduces inequality through cultural preference (symbolic violence that differentiates classes)
- Imitates consumption of another class to subvert classification

Question 8

Findings

Answer 8

People use credit
1. Pre-reflective
2. Reflexive
(overcoming perceived inequality)

i.e. Credit used for
- more expensive clothes

Meant to influence marking of social position

Question 9

Impact of credit

Answer 9

Emancipates people from fixed income

Enter classes they don’t want to fall from

Stimulates consumption of a class they do not belong to

Inequality increases due to advanced financialised economies

Question 10

Conclusion of research

Answer 10

People experiencing of class inequality disrupted their social position
turned to credit to renovate property, consume goods, clothes and cars, and engage in cultural practices

Meant to alleviate feelings of deficit and anxiety and advancing their placement relative to other classes

Bourdieusian cultural analysis of social order perception