The lives of others: Studies on inequality, class, and social capital

Abstract

The present thesis focuses on how people establish relationships along lines of class and what this implies for their lives, in particular with regard to their status attainment and feelings of attachment to society. We begin by identifying a set of hierarchical class positions, examining differences in social capital, and exploring the extent to which social networks are homogeneous in terms of class (Chapter 2). We then enquire as to how social capital is distributed across the spatial structure, i.e., different urban residential configurations such as affluent and poorer areas (Chapter 3). Next, we examine how specific macro-social conditions at the country level (welfare state generosity, societal individualism, citizen rights and income inequality) are associated with individuals’ access to social capital (Chapter 4). We then focus on two main consequences of social capital. First, we address how social class and network homogeneity simultaneously produce differences in individuals’ attachment to society, e.g., the extent to which they trust in their fellow citizens and political institutions and participate in public affairs (Chapter 5). Second, we further explore the extent to which social capital is related to status attainment, especially job prestige and employment income. In particular, we examine whether social capital flows through stratified networks that favour individuals from privileged socio-economic origins (Chapter 6). All of these chapters are focused on Chile, with the exception of Chapter 4, which is the result of comparative research on cross-society differences in access to social capital covering Chile and another 32 countries.

The results show that social resources flow through fairly homogeneous networks in terms of social class, predominantly at the ‘edges’ of the class structure (Chapter 2). This is complemented by assessing conditions that go beyond the individual level in Chapters 3 and 4. First, the strengthening of class divisions by means of residential segregation is of central relevance for social capital, especially because it constrains people’s opportunities to establish inter-class relationships, encourages class homogeneity in networks, and thus reduces access to potentially valuable social contacts (Chapter 3). Second, country-level conditions are fundamental to pondering the strength of the class divide in access to social capital. We highlight the significant role of the political economy of welfare regimes and cultural orientations as key macro-conditions for individual access to social resources (Chapter 4).

In Chapter 5, it is specifically highlighted that homogeneity in networks clearly makes societies weaker: it reduces social and institutional trust, hinders social and political participation, clouds attitudes towards the common good, and compromises other common components of societal social cohesion. Finally, the last examination serves to demonstrate that the network structure of social capital has also significant consequences regarding status attainment. Specifically, greater social capital in terms of network size and average contact prestige helps individuals to attain better jobs overall. Interestingly, results also show that individuals from high socio-economic origins obtain relatively greater benefits from their connections. As such, social capital may be an enhancer of class inequality (Chapter 6).