Globalization and social class – John H. Goldthorpe

Résumé du document

This text is an article written by J. Goldthrope, about social class in the context of globalization. According to the author, we can differentiate concepts from theories of globalization. There is a mere economic definition of globalization: a process by which economic activity is increasingly organized in ways that cut across political borders. A wider definition includes social and cultural changes which are the consequences of economic globalization. The author explains there are also two kinds of theory about globalization. The first recognize a historical continuity in this process whereas those of the second kind argue that contemporary globalization is different from its earlier stages. This second kind of theories is used by the author to understand the impact of globalization on social class through 3 aspects: economic inequalities, class structure and the relationship class/politics.

Firstly, the author focuses on class inequalities. He argues that after the post-war economic boom, these inequalities tended to decline but such optimism does not seem relevant anymore after the end of this boom. Unlike, there have been widening inequalities in terms of incomes and households. Unskilled workers are the losers because they are victims of the trade between opening-borders nations. Western societies are disadvantages in this economic competition (labor is cheaper in developing countries). To remain in the competition, deregulating the national economy is useful. Globalization also affects the secondary incomes provided by the states (tax and expenditure policies).

Extraits

[...] This matter becomes central and the traditional cleavage left- right disappears. The author agrees with most of these theories but thinks that they do not have necessarily empirical grounding. Studies were led to see if facts corroborate with theoretical assumptions. It is argued that these changes in class voting are not necessarily the effects of globalization and can be understood as a historical evolution. These shits are not universal. Furthermore, the relation between class and non-voting seems to be strengthened by globalization. [...]

[...] It is generally argued that social class is a declining concept (and value). At least, it is said that it has now nothing to do with the national entity. Social inequalities become classless in the context of globalization. The workers are not the only ones who suffer from economic security. There is also a transformation of the kind of job because this lack of security. The authors who defend this theory explain that there was in fact a process of de-bourgeoisification of the former middle class. [...]

[...] The author gives us good counter-arguments to these mainstream theories. Indeed, these theorists seem a bit nostalgic about the traditional social structure and everything they want to show must be evidence against globalization (sometimes not persuasive or not well-grounded). They do not accept that this kind of social change is part of our history. However, I would say that Goldthorpe sometimes does not necessarily give good evidences to stand against these theories. References Goldthorpe, J.H. (2002): globalization and social class. [...]

[...] The idea of social exclusion is preferred to the idea of poverty. The second part of this analysis aims at explaining that all these assumptions are not necessarily relevant or maybe without foundation. The author also criticizes the absence of relativism on the part of globalist theorists. The author admits that jobs are less secure than before, that the society is more individualized. Once again, situations may be very different regarding the kinds of jobs and unskilled jobs remain generally less secure. [...]

[...] Globalization also affects the secondary incomes provided by the states (tax and expenditure policies). The expenditures in the countries with low taxation will be orientated towards improvements in terms of communication (because it enhanced productivity) rather than social rights. It becomes more difficult for nation-states to implement policies fostering the reduction of inequalities. All the theorists who stand for this theory assume that contemporary western economies are neo-classical economies in which unskilled workers from developed countries are disadvantaged in the competition with unskilled workers from developing countries (they are overpaid). [...]