The space of economic and cultural capital: a latent class analysis for Germany

Bourdieu’s concept of the social space is a powerful tool for analyzing social inequality in contemporary societies (Bourdieu 1984). His theory combines a structural dimension of various types of resources - called capitals - with a theory of social and cultural practices. As a relational approach,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Waitkus, Nora (Author) , Groh-Samberg, Olaf (Author)
Format: Chapter/Article
Language:English
Published: 08 January 2020
In: Empirical investigations of social space
Year: 2019, Pages: 81-97
DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-15387-8_6
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15387-8_6
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Author Notes:Nora Waitkus and Olaf Groh-Samberg
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Summary:Bourdieu’s concept of the social space is a powerful tool for analyzing social inequality in contemporary societies (Bourdieu 1984). His theory combines a structural dimension of various types of resources - called capitals - with a theory of social and cultural practices. As a relational approach, it refers to the relative differences of resources (here: capitals) and elements of cultural practices between individuals or social groups, rather than the absolute level of resources or substantial forms of cultural practices. Bourdieu’s central argument is that the structural dimension of the social space is homologous to the system of differences and oppositions that underlie and structure the social and cultural practices, i.e., the space of lifestyles. This homology is caused by socialization effects which are inherent to the processes of attaining and reproducing various forms of capitals by individuals or families. This theoretical framework allows for a dynamic understanding of social classes: Social classes can be understood as groups of individuals which share similar experiences of acquiring and reproducing certain sets of capitals, via both family socialization and status attainment processes over the life course.
Item Description:Gesehen am 21.05.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISBN:9783030153878
DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-15387-8_6