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Social Class and the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election What is Social Class? In everyday use, and even among sociologists, the word “class” is used non-sociologically, meaning “a kind of category:” “A set, collection, group or configuration containing members regarded as having certain attributes or traits in common: a kind of category” – American Heritage Dictionary 4th ed. (2000). What is Social Class? The definition of class seems to vary by researcher groups (marxists, neo-marxists, weberians, neo-weberians, etc.). Measurement/operationalization of class in empirical research also varies by research group. What is Social Class? The results of battles over definition and measurement of social class are: -- a big, long literature on class -- fierce disagreement on how to interpret the literature -- periodic revivals of class analysis -- emergence of class definition cults populated with sociologists who are convinced that their definition is the “right” one -- confusion for students who try to synthesize the literature. What is Social Class? Objective Applying a criteria of inclusion to an individual in order to place them in a class category, regardless of whether the individual thinks they belong in that class category vs. Subjective The individual places himself/herself in a class category, regardless of whether the researcher thinks they belong in that class category. Who is in what class category? What is Social Class? Most definitions are concerned with the individual's relationship with the economic sphere, as opposed to "cultural" classes or "political" classes. Sociologists engaging in modern class analysis identify economic class position as an individual’s position in the labor force. Social class is largely based on the characteristics of their occupation: the skill level required for the job, the degree to which they are supervised by others, and who and how many workers they supervise. Managers, employers, unskilled manual workers, and so on. What is Social Class? Most definitions are concerned with the individual's relationship with the economic sphere, as opposed to "cultural" classes or "political" classes. White collar Blue collar White collar Blue collar Upper nonmanual Upper manual Lower nonmanual Lower manual Skill Level Upper to upper middle class Upper middle to middle class Middle to working class Working class What is Social Class? Most definitions are concerned with the individual's relationship with the economic sphere, as opposed to "cultural" classes or "political" classes. Politicians define social classes primarily in terms of income. Classes are divided within an income distribution. Take this hypothetical example: 0 – 10,000 Lower Class 10,001 – 25,000 25,001 – 45,000 45,001 – 75,000 75,001 – 90,000 90,001 – 150,000+ Middle Class Upper Middle to Upper Class What is Social Class? Most definitions are concerned with the individual's relationship with the economic sphere, as opposed to "cultural" classes or "political" classes. They then attach occupations to it that earn, roughly, that amount of income: 0 – 10,000 10,001 – 25,000 25,001 – 45,000 45,001 – 75,000 75,001 – 90,000 90,001 – 150,000+ Lower Class Waiter/waitress, temporary worker Middle Class Clerical worker, small employer Upper Middle to Upper Class Stock broker, manager of large firm What is Social Class? Americans, especially in the American media, do not talk about class distinctions. The only class that is talked about with some frequency is „the middle class.” Americans believe in equality of opportunity, not equality of results. Therefore, class doesn’t matter. All that matters is whether everyone (who „works hard” and „plays by the rules”) has an equal chance for social mobility. As long as everyone has an equal chance, why bother talking about class? Class Category Vote Tendency Professionals Democrat Managers, administrators, and nonretail sales workers Owners and proprietors Republican Nonmanagerial white collar workers Skilled workers and foremen Semi-skilled and unskilled blue collar workers Democrat Republican Volatile Volatile, towards Republican in close elections Source: Manza, J. Hout, M. & C. Brooks (1995). Class voting in capitalist democracies since World war II: dealignment, realignment, or trendless fluctuation? Annual Review of Sociology Vote by Income Group in 2004 U.S. Presidential Election TOTAL BUSH 2004 KERRY 2004 Under $15,000 (8%) 36% 63% $15-30,000 (15%) 42% 57% $30-50,000 (22%) 49% 50% $50-75,000 (23%) 56% 43% $75-100,000 (14%) 55% 45% $100-150,000 (11%) 57% 42% $150-200,000 (4%) 58% 42% $200,000 or More (3%) 63% 35% http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html „Pocketbook Voting” in 2004 U.S. Presidential Election FAMILY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION BUSH KERRY TOTAL 2004 2004 Better (32%) 80% 19% Worse (28%) 20% 79% Same (39%) 49% 50% http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html Vote by Union Membership in 2004 U.S. Presidential Election ARE YOU A UNION MEMBER? BUSH KERRY Yes (14%) 38% 61% No (86%) 54% 45% TOTAL http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html "Joe, in his plainspoken way, said this sounded a lot like socialism. And a lot of Americans are thinking along those same lines. In the best case, 'spreading the wealth around' is a familiar idea from the American left. And that kind of class warfare sure doesn't sound like a 'new kind of politics...’ At least in Europe, the socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are upfront about their objectives... We should demand equal candor from Senator Obama. Raising taxes on some in order to give checks to others is not a tax cut; it's just another government giveaway." -- Senator John McCain (AZ), Republican Presidential Nominee 2008, in weekly radio address October 2008 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/19/mccain-decries-obamas-socialism/ Final 2008 Presidential Election Polls (as of Nov. 4, 2008) Obama 52 51 44 CNN 44.2 Real Clear Politics McCain 55 50 43 FOX News 44 Gallup