Showing papers in "Sociology in 1986"
TL;DR: Although women's participation in the formal economy has grown considerably since the Second World War, it is well-established fact that this increase has not been evenly distributed as discussed by the authors, and it is a well-known fact that women's involvement in formal economic activities has not evenly distribute the benefits of this increase.
Abstract: Although the extent of women's participation in the formal economy has grown considerably since the Second World War, it is a well-established fact that this increase has not been evenly distribute...
93 citations
TL;DR: The formalisation of the recruitment process has been identified as a major obstacle for the elimination of racial and sexual discrimination at work as discussed by the authors, and it frequently places great store by the formalization of recruitment process.
Abstract: Equal opportunities policies, and other programmes for the elimination of racial and sexual discrimination at work, frequently place great store by the formalisation of the recruitment process. Thi...
77 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a corpus of audio-visual recordings of market traders who attempt to sell their goods with a sales ''spiel'' is analyzed, and it is shown that selling can be viewed as essentially a social, interactional accomplishment, not an economic one.
Abstract: This paper proposes that selling can be viewed as essentially a social, interactional accomplishment, not an economic one. A corpus of audio-visual recordings of `pitchers' — market traders who attempt to sell their goods with a sales `spiel' — is analysed. We locate a number of rhetorical formats and interactional practices (`selling techniques') regularly used by pitchers to manage sales. We show how bargains are constituted and enhanced through a contrast between the `worth' and the selling prices of the goods offered for sale. A number of resources used by pitchers to produce mass sales are also documented. Some analytical consideration is given to the manner in which pitchers strategically exploit intersubjectively held social conventions (`economic' reasoning) in order to intervene in the purchasing decisions of audience members to elicit sales. The consequences of understanding selling and other reltedSociology May 86 4256 locally managed, social accomplishments are also explored.
72 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a marked continuity in trends in absolute mobility rates and in associated patterns of social fluidity and structural change is revelaed, and the most important new development in the context of far more adverse economic conditions is for the mobility chances of men of working-class origins to polarise.
Abstract: Results on trends in intergenerational class mobility in England and Wales obtained from the Nuffield inquiry of 1972 are updated to 1983 on the basis of material derived from the British General Election Study of that year. Overall, a marked continuity in trends in absolute mobility rates and in associated patterns of social fluidity and structural change is revelaed. The most important new development in the context of far more adverse economic conditions is for the mobility chances of men of working-class origins to polarise - a continuing improvement in opportunities for upward mobility into service-class positions going together with increasing risks of downward mobility via unemployment. The results reported are shown to be ones that do not readily accord with current theories, whether Marxist or liberal, of the development of the class structures of modern western societies.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analysed data on the class mobility of women in modern Britain following the conventional, individual and dominance approaches to the problem of determining women's class location, and the results obtained via these three approaches and the different substantive problems to which they lead are examined.
Abstract: Data on the class mobility of women in modern Britain are analysed following the `conventional', `individual' and `dominance' approaches to the problem of determining women's class location. Results obtained via these three approaches and the different substantive problems to which they lead are examined, and the further issue is considered of how far, in the light of the analyses presented, studies of class mobility that have focused on the experience of men could be regarded as misleading.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the relation between ''proper eating'' and the family and explore the attitudes towards food and eating expressed by women who are dependent on the state for their basic needs, and how these attitudes relate to food practices within their households.
Abstract: In this paper we explore the relations between `proper' eating and the family. In particular we are concerned to analyse the attitudes towards food and eating that are expressed by women who are dependent on the state for their basic needs, and the way in which these attitudes relate to food practices within their households. We demonstrate that families living on state benefit find it difficult to eat `properly'; that is, they are unable to consume `proper meals' (consisting of meat or fish, potatoes and vegetables) regularly and a Sunday dinner once a week. Attempts to maintain these standards of proper eating have consequences in terms of the food consumption of all family members. This is explored in relation to single parent and two parent unemployed families and it is shown that the presence of a male partner has an impact on the diet of all members of the family.
46 citations
TL;DR: The self-employed are characterised in the sociological literature as owning their own means of production and having considerable self-direction and autonomy within the work process However, social survey and official statistics usually use arbitrary definitions, based upon method of payment of National Insurance or income tax, by which to define self-employment among those with no paid employees as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The self-employed are characterised in the sociological literature as owning their own means of production and having considerable self-direction and autonomy within the work process However, social survey and official statistics usually use arbitrary definitions, based upon method of payment of National Insurance or income tax, by which to define self-employment among those with no paid employees Recent work, particularly by Hakim, makes it apparent that many of those officially designated as self-employed do not possess their the autonomy within the workplace or the productive capacity usually attributed to them by sociologists
43 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the main elements of a sociology of petit capitalism are examined, including the class analysis of owners of small capital, the sociology of entrepreneurship, social relations in the enterprise, and the links between small capital and the wider society.
Abstract: Despite the demonstrable importance of small scale capitalism in contemporary industrial societies, sociologists still generally ignore its economic, social and ideological significance. However, it is now possible to bring together the main elements of a sociology of petit capitalism. Four areas are examined: the class analysis of the owners of small capital; the sociology of entrepreneurship; social relations in the enterprise; and the links between small capital and the wider society.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the implications of Elias's conceptual framework and of his theoretical-empirical investigations for the study of long-term social processes, emphasizing the centrality of the non-intentional orderedness of social interdependences and their dynamics for Elias's conception of social ''structure'' and for his frame of reference.
Abstract: This paper seeks to explore the implications of Elias's conceptual framework and of his theoretical-empirical investigations for the study of long-term social processes. It emphasizes the centrality of the non-intentional orderedness of social interdependences and their dynamics for Elias's conception of social `structure' and for his frame of reference (2). It is in this context that his specific concept of `power' has to be understood (3) and acquires primal relevance as a tool for the reconstruction and explanation of the processual structures of long-term societal developments (4). The second part of the paper (4- 7) interprets Elias's studies of `the civilizing process' in the light of the preceding discussion of his theoretical approach, devoting attention to - among other things - the problem of physical force and its monopolization, and to the analysis of `rationalization' (in Weber's sense). The last section (7) hints at the conclusions to be drawn for an adequate understanding and conceptualizat...
35 citations
TL;DR: The authors examine the epistemological and ontological assumptions built into Elias's analysis, and conclude that he exaggerates the novelty and explanatory power of his approach, and also argue that far from transcending epistemology concerns, Elias's whole analysis is constrained by his implicit commitment to a sophisticated empiricism.
Abstract: Elias has proposed what he suggests is a novel characterisation of social reality, in the shape of the concept of `figuration'. Elias claims that this concept, and the `figurational sociology' which analytically supports it, transcend extant approaches. Elias also claims to have `transcended' epistemological debates such as rationalism versus empiricism, as well as such categories as `true' and `false', by appeal to the notion of the `object adequacy' of concepts. I examine the epistemological and ontological assumptions built into Elias's analysis, and conclude that he exaggerates the novelty and explanatory power of his approach. I also argue that far from transcending epistemological concerns, Elias's whole analysis is constrained by his implicit commitment to a sophisticated empiricism.
33 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors test the hypothesis that recent changes in political direction in Britain and France would have changed the previous patterns of workplace relations in comparable automobile plants in the two countries and find that there have indeed been changes in the workplace balance of power and, as predicted, in productivity.
Abstract: This study tests the hypothesis that recent changes in political direction in Britain and France would have changed the previous patterns of workplace relations in comparable automobile plants in the two countries. It finds that there have indeed been changes in the workplace balance of power and, as predicted, in productivity. Changes in the accident rate, however, are more difficult to interpret.
TL;DR: The authors argued that the differences between the so-called new middle class and the working class are reasonably understood on a number of criteria as differences between status groups which form part of a single class.
Abstract: Through a brief examination of neo-Marxist and neo-Weberian arguments it is demonstrated that the class nature of the new middle class has yet to be established. The paper goes on to show that as well as differences arising out of material conditions (i.e. class differences), inequalities based on expectations of entitlement or norms are also significant in capitalist society. Weber's treatment of status has not encouraged an adequate understanding of the concept, and an alternative is outlined. The paper then argues that the differences between the so-called new middle class and the working class are reasonably understood on a number of criteria as differences between status groups which form part of a single class. Not only does this approach remove a number of difficulties from accounts of the salariat, it also helps explain the different political alignments of social collectivities.
TL;DR: This article reviewed the first degree curriculum of 78 institutions offering single-subject sociology degrees and found that neither the furtherance of the discipline nor the need for trained professionals in themselves justify the institutions offering sociology degrees.
Abstract: Neither the furtherance of the discipline nor the need for trained professionals in themselves justify 78 institutions offering single-subject sociology degrees. Sociology has enjoyed widespread support because of the inherent centrality of the idea of the social in a wide variety of disciplines and because it can provide the `core for a humane education'. We need to fulfil the educational promise of the discipline by reviewing the first degree curriculum to ensure that it does promote the skills and capacities of which it is such an inherently suitable bearer.
TL;DR: In this paper, Wright's second major contribution to neo-Marxist debate on social class is presented, which incorporates both an autocritique of his earlier theory of contradictory class locations, and a new theory of such locations, together with empirical investigations based on this new theory using data drawn from Wright's own survey of the American population and a similar one conducted in Sweden.
Abstract: In Classes Erik Wright offers his second major contribution to neo-Marxist debate on social class. In effect, this new text incorporates both an autocritique of his earlier theory of contradictory class locations, and a new theory of such locations, together with empirical investigations based on this new theory using data drawn from Wright's own survey of the American population and a similar one conducted in Sweden. While we have some reservations about Wright's new model, we wish at the outset to compliment him on producing a highly lucid account, not only of his own ideas but of those of others who have influenced him. We must also register an interest since we are colleagues of Wright's in the International Project on Class Structure and Class Consciousness which he has organised in his usual indefatigable manner since 1978.
TL;DR: Parkin this paper developed a unified conceptual framework which integrates the analysis of class divisions with the analyses of communal divisions, arguing that all of these divisions are based on proces, and argued that all classes are defined by the same process.
Abstract: Parkin has developed a unified conceptual framework which integrates the analysis of class divisions with the analysis of communal divisions, arguing that all of these divisions are based on proces...
TL;DR: In this article, the social backgrounds of 33 leading activists of the Polish Solidarity movement are examined in the context of the character of the movement, its social basis, and historical background of mass dissent in Poland.
Abstract: Data on the social backgrounds of 33 leading activists of the Polish Solidarity movement are examined in the context of the character of the movement, its social basis, and historical background of mass dissent in Poland. In the light of a typology suggested by the author, the recruitment and composition of the leadership could be seen as reflecting the anti-partocratic and crisis-triggered character of the movement. The top Solidarity activists were leaders and organizers of the 1980 strikes. They were predominantly young and skilled industrial workers, manual and non-manual, employed in the large factories in traditional centres of workers' unrest. They represented this section of the `generation of People's Poland' whose upward mobility in a climate of political optimism generated high expectations and aspirations. These aspirations, frustrated by political exclusion and the economic crisis, led to the rebellion against the partocratic institutions. Although most of the Solidarity leaders were not invo...
TL;DR: In this article, an alternative approach utilizing logit and linear probability estimation is proposed to test the vulnerability and strain models of depression in women using Brown and Harris' data, and the results show that the vulnerability model is confirmed with the linear probability estimator but not with the logit estimator.
Abstract: The conceptualization and measurement underlying the `vulnerability' model of depression in women proposed by George Brown and his colleagues are criticized and an alternative, additive `strain' model is proposed. It is also argued that Brown et al.'s statistical methods are inappropriate. An alternative approach utilizing logit and linear probability estimation is proposed. With these techniques, the `vulnerability' and `strain' models are tested, using Brown and Harris' data. The `vulnerability' model is confirmed with the linear probability estimation but not with the logit estimation, while the `strain' model is confirmed with the logit estimation but not with the linear probability estimation. The significance of these results for an assessment of the work of Brown et al. and their implications for other research involving highly skewed dichotomous dependent variables are discussed.
TL;DR: It is commonly argued, from both right and left wing perspectives, that consumers of welfare state services experience the use of these services as oppressive and alienating as discussed by the authors. The result is an endem...
Abstract: It is commonly argued, from both right and left wing perspectives, that consumers of welfare state services experience the use of these services as oppressive and alienating. The result is an endem...
TL;DR: The authors of as discussed by the authors argue that British manufacturing is distinctive in several ways compared with continental European counterparts: relatively elaborate and functionally-specialised administrative structures; more differentiation between roles involving the use of controls and bureaucratic procedures ('staff'), relatively low status and rewards for British production managers, compared with both their counterparts abroad and British colleagues in other functions; and inferiority in off-the-job preparation for work, and in the general standing of British mechanical and production engineers.
Abstract: McCormick (1985) has disputed parts of our thesis (1983a) that a special AngloSaxon idea of professionalism has contributed to forming a characteristic British pattern of work organisation, which itself has had harmful effects for the standing of production and of manufacturing in general. He sees our explanation as unidimensional, and also argues that the development of the theme has some methodological shortcomings. Like all arguments, our presentation contains some characterisation, though we trust not the 'caricature' ascribed to it (1985:285). Although McCormick's attempt to sustain a debate on this matter is useful, some of his comments are linked to a misreading of our theme and to a questionable use of sources, and we note that he fails to offer fresh evidence to support his position. Here, we address as many of McCormick's points as space allows. Systems of work organisation 'do not develop in a social vacuum' (1983a:63). Research has indicated that British manufacturing is distinctive in several ways compared with continental European counterparts: relatively elaborate and functionally-specialised administrative structures; more differentiation between roles involving the use of controls and bureaucratic procedures ('staff') and those orientated more directly towards the unit's output ('line'); relatively low status and rewards for British production managers, compared with both their counterparts abroad and British colleagues in other functions; and inferiority in off-the-job preparation for work, and in the general standing of British mechanical and production engineers. Together these attributes suggest some of the causes of comparative British weakness in manufacturing. Thus, observation of British and West German production managers has suggested that the former work more in an atmosphere of crisis than the latter (Lawrence, 1980). Evidence about the special problem over work organisation in the UK is strong enough to warrant examining one contributory factor: namely, the strength in Britain (and Ireland) of a concept of 'professionalism' which is virtually non-existent in continental Europe. On the last matter, McCormick was right to say that 'Continental means German' (1985:290) for Child et al. This is partly because West Germany is quite well matched with the UK in terms of size and resources, and partly because most other continental countries have the same system as Germany for preparing individuals for the more complex types of work, with no buffer between higher education and work like the Anglo-Saxon professional bodies.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the impact of political forms on the evolution of economic relations, and especially on the triumph of capitalism in the West, rather than in China, and argue that any appeal to the peculiarity of Western culture does not provide a satisfactory answer to the problem.
Abstract: One of the most important debates during the development of sociology has concerned the question: what were the conditions that promoted the endogenous creation of a broadly capitalist dynamic in the Occident? John Hall presents an original and brilliant analysis, the main thrust of which we agree with (Hall 1985). However, one important element of his analysis, namely the political impact of religion, and specifically the role of the Papacy, is, we contend, faulty, and this fact raises empirical and theoretical issues of significance. Hall draws on Max Weber's sociology, specifically the supposedly stultifying impact of bureaucratic empires on the progress of capitalist economic relations, and Adam Smith's view that there was an elective affinity between liberty and commerce, to provide an answer to the problem of the rise of the modern West. In doing so he rejects the tendencies within Marxist theory to treat the state abstractly, and to reduce political power factors to economic conditions (notwithstanding the recent vogue of gestures towards the 'autonomy of the political') and secondly to produce teleological arguments concerning the supposedly progressive results of class conflict in respect of the genesis of capitalism from feudalism. He also convincingly demonstrates that any appeal to the peculiarity of Western culture, i.e. the 'protestant ethic thesis' and the like, does not provide a satisfactory answer to the problem. In relation to the last two points, Hall shows that the consequence of Chinese feudalism was not a progressive movement to a 'higher mode of productive relationships', namely capitalist ones, but the 'common ruin of both classes' (Marx/Hall 1985) and the formation of a bureaucratic empire. Meanwhile, cultural explanations for the rise of the West fail to account satisfactorily for the brief flourishing of capitalism in the turbulent Sung period, when the principle and reality of empire was weak. This leads Hall to focus on the impact of political forms on the evolution of economic relations, and especially on the triumph of capitalism in the West, rather than in China. The impact of political forms is not discussed via an abstract and ahistorical view of the state, but in terms of a distinction between 'capstone' and 'organic' government. The basis of this distinction, which is similar to that argued by Mann ( 1 977), is in terms of two axes: the degree to which a government administratively penetrates a society, and the degree to which government power is used arbitrarily or consensually. These distinctions generate four political forms, but Hall is particularly concerned with the contrast between capstone government, 'strong in arbitrary power but weak in its ability to penetrate society... and a more organic state ... deprived of arbitrary power, but far more capable of serving and controlling social relations within its territory' (Hall 1985 p. 1 74). The consequence of capstone government in the context of Imperial China was
TL;DR: In this paper, interviews of a randomly selected group of 177 men who survived the Depression of the 1930s, and who are currently living in Adelaide, South Australia, showed that half had experienced unemployment during the Depression, and the former unemployed experienced such high rates of mobility in later life that by the time of retirement their class distribution was similar to that of those who escaped unemployment.
Abstract: Does unemployment set its victims on a permanent downward trail in terms of future occupation? Interviews of a randomly selected group of 177 men who survived the Depression of the 1930s, and who are currently living in Adelaide, South Australia, showed that half had experienced unemployment during the 1930s. Though unemployment was concentrated overwhelmingly among men of working-class origin, the formerly unemployed experienced such high rates of mobility in later life that by the time of retirement their class distribution was similar to that of those who escaped unemployment. Reasons for this unexpected finding are discussed. It is argued that the principal explanation for the mobility pattern of this group of survivors lies in structural changes in the economy between 1940 and their retirement. All the explanatory factors cited are contingent upon a particular set of historical circumstances. The conclusion is reached that it is only in a very weak sense that one can talk at all about noncontingent, ...
TL;DR: This article found that job seekers with work experience are at an advantage over those seeking a first job at times when the labour market is poorest. But they did not discuss the consequences of government sponsored work experience programs.
Abstract: School leavers looking for work often complain that employers refuse to hire them because of their lack of work experience. In this paper, using data on three recent cohorts of school leavers in Ireland, an attempt is made to assess the advantages in obtaining a job of having work experience. It is found that job seekers with work experience are at an advantage over those seeking a first job at times when the labour market is poorest. Some explanations are advanced to account for this finding, and some consequences for government sponsored work experience programmes are discussed.
TL;DR: The authors re-examine the conclusions of a recent report by Taylor-Gooby (1985) using more appropriate statistical methodology, and they are unable to support his conclusion that married women have greater access to consumption goods than married men.
Abstract: This note re-examines the conclusions of a recent report by Taylor-Gooby (1985). Using more appropriate statistical methodology, we are unable to support his conclusion that married women have greater access to consumption goods than married men.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors of Child et al.'s "professionality and work organisation" thesis were criticised for their weak conceptualisation, inadequate documentation, and the failure to deal with conflicting evidence.
Abstract: In approaching the professionalism and work organisation thesis of Child et al. (Child et al. 1983) I found that the central tenet 'that Britain has professions, and the continent has not, and that deleterious consequences for British manufacturing performance are likely' (Child et al. 1986) did not stand up to close scrutiny (McCormick 1985(a)). In particular I found that the alleged links between either professionalism-and-work-organisation or work-organisation-and-economic performance were not established; that is, they did not establish that observable average differences in patterns of work organisation between samples of British and German firms could be attributed to professionalism nor did they establish that the companies with different patterns of work organisation had different economic performances. To some extent I was arguing that the thesis was an unsatisfactory example of its kind through weaknesses in conceptualisation, inadequate documentation, and the failure to deal with conflicting evidence. If the various elements could not be sustained then the thesis fell. However, I was arguing further that this approach to the problems of British manufacturing did not provide an appropriate framework for studies or policies on work organisation and economic performance. The emphasis on cultural factors in analysis and the educational system in prescription did little more than provide a familiar scapegoat. To gauge the state of rehabilitation achieved for the thesis in their reply (Child et al. 1986) I shall concentrate on their response to my original criticisms of (a) their empirical generalisations, (b) their interpretive framework, and (c) their policy prescription.