Americans of all sorts are awash in luxuries that would have dazzled their grandparents. Social diversity has erased many of the old markers. It has become harder to read people's status in the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the votes they cast, the god they worship, the color of their skin. The contours of class have blurred; some say they have disappeared.
But class is still a powerful force in American life. Over the past three decades, it has come to play a greater, not lesser, role in important ways. At a time when education matters more than ever, success in school remains linked tightly to class. At a time when the country is increasingly integrated racially, the rich are isolating themselves more and more. At a time of extraordinary advances in medicine, class differences in health and lifespan are wide and appear to be widening.
And new research on mobility, the movement of families up and down the economic ladder, shows there is far less of it than economists once thought and less than most people believe. [Click here for more information on income mobility.] In fact, mobility, which once buoyed the working lives of Americans as it rose in the decades after World War II, has lately flattened out or possibly even declined, many researchers say.Her are some personal stories of encountering class. Read a couple. It will only take a few minutes and will possibly relate to something you've experienced in your life. Think about where you are in terms of class politics in America and what this means for your life.
What do you think?
Are class politics important in America? Has your life been impacted by class politics? Have you ever noticed examples of class politics happening to others? If you think class politics are important, how should that influence your voting behavior? If you think that class politics isn't a significant factor in American politics, why? What do you think prevents class politics from impacting American life?
I think class politics are important in the U.S. because they affect how our representatives vote in the government. I was raised in a middle class family, but a member of my family married into a much wealthier one. However, they divorced several years ago. Although we liked the family our family member married into, it has been hard to keep in touch because of the class divide, which is best described as a person standing on a raised platform that the person below them can’t reach without strenuous effort. Traditionally, the lower class votes for the democratic candidate while the upper class votes for the conservative candidate because their policies benefit that class the most. Conservatives tend to favor lowering taxes and are against raising them for the upper class. Democrats tend to favor programs, like food stamps, that help the poor.
ReplyDeleteTom Jones PSCI 100.01
Every politician will, at some point, invoke the imagery of the "American Dream." They could go on for hours about how anyone in this country can achieve said dream, but what they don't say is how difficult it is to achieve that dream if you aren't born into a class that can achieve it. The idea of upward mobility isn't dead, but it is very obvious that rich people can ride an elevator to the top, whereas a poor man has a short length of rope and a prayer of getting to the top. There is a very definite disadvantage in this country for those born to less than ideal circumstances, and this can breed resentment for the upper classes and conflict. Economic standpoint decides how you live your life, so it tends to reflect in how you vote. The rich favor Republicans, and the poor and working class tend to favor Democrats. From this, we tend to have some partisan conflict between parties, but this is a far cry from the class wars of France. We do have a very obvious distinction between classes, and inequality is rather high, but it seems to go mostly unnoticed in the American psyche for most of our lives because we are all busy preoccupying ourselves with achieving the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteLauren Duckworth PSCI 100.01
Damian Beane
DeletePSCI 100:01
I agree with you Lauren in the sense that politicians will always sell the American Dream as a means to almost blindside us to the fact that we will never achieve said dream. The upper class is almost always assured of of a spot in the hierarchy of life due to being born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths. It does cause a rift in party politics as you are right when the poor do automatically associate more with democrats. The way to the top is never as easy as they say that it is and they will never tell you that people who are not born into the upper class will have the hardest hill to climb.
Yes, class politics are very important because that is how the representation system works. Usually the higher class are those who are selected because they can spend the most money to win. I can't recall if class has affected my life. THe issue with class politics and representatives is that usually when he or she is voted into office, they will most likely only help those of a higher class because that is where they come from. you would never see a wealthy official go to the brox, chiraq, or any other places that are stricken by violence and low class. The issue is that these places will never be helped because the person that gets elected is in such a higher class that he or she does not know how to help those ares because they do not know what it is to live there.
ReplyDeletePSC 100 01 Michael Solomonik
Class politics is very important throughout the United States. I can't necessary think of an exact example of class politics that have played a role in my life. The following example is something that not only myself had to deal with but many others as well. When it comes to schooling I believe class politics play a huge role. For those that are wealthy they can afford all these fancy elite schools and can afford very educated tutors. When they want to go to college their parents will pay as much as possible to have them get the best SAT or ACT scores and so on, just so they can get into elite colleges. For those who are middle class and lower class, we don't have the means to go to elite schools and get all the help we need to do well on college placement testing. When voting you should vote for someone that is going to help with your class and not ignore it. You're not going to want for the wealthy because they are most likely just going to focus on on their class. We need someone that is going to be equal. I don't see class politics as a major issue, there are some problems here and there but nothing we can't face as a society.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Nicholls PSCI 100 01
I think that class politics are definitely visible in our country. Particularly during times of elections. The richest people can pay for the most commercials and advertisements to promote themselves, while the lower class cant pay to have nice things said about them on TV every other set. While I understand that this is the way to get peoples attention, there are many others in the middle and lower class who have just as much ambition, but none of the money. I don't recall a time where class politics have affected me personally, but I do live in one of the richest parts of my county, and I see that we are able to get the best sports equipment, books and supplies, which definitely gets us a head start on other high schools sports and education-wise. I think that class politics are not a huge issue at the moment, but as time goes on they may become more prevalent.
ReplyDeletePSCI 100.01
i think that you might not see it has a big issue because it does not negativily affect you in your life, but for the lower class people it is a problem and does affect them more. and it is only going to get worse with the economy.
DeleteBecca Miller PSCI 100:03
It's definitely hard to see that something is such a big deal with it never really touches you in a big way. The lower class is clearly effected by politics and the choices that those with money FUNDING those politicians' decisions but never truly notice it. I think that's the problem. The lower class becomes complacent and gives up because they know that no matter what someone with more money will make the ultimate decisions.
DeleteCoryn Barger PSCI 100:3
I do think class politics are important because there are plenty of people in this country that are struggling everyday just to get food for their loved ones. I don't, however, think that class is the biggest concern for recent voters. When I researched into the subject a bit further, it turns out race is a much larger factor in how people vote than class is. (Source:https://workingclassstudies.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/the-democrats-and-social-classes/)
ReplyDeleteMy life has most definitely been affected by class politics. What my father's job is and how much income he gets yearly directly affects if I get any help from FAFSA or any other type of financial aid. If I decide to get a part time or full time job that will also affect how much aid I get financially. That all seems fine and dandy except these government officials who say I have enough money to pay for college forget that I also need food and running water to live. What I want to know is who are they to decide if I have enough money or not for college based solely on my earnings each year?
I believe that if the middle and lower class truly want to be 'represented' then we need to get someone who is from our class into office. Each class overall represents their own class because it's all they've ever known. How could one class ever represent another accurately if they have not lived it?
yes i think class politics is important because we have a system were people are unequal but the politicians "try" and make that gap smaller. their needs to be someone that represents the lower class citizens because it seems that politicians don not really do anything unless it benefits them and the upper class. i have not been impacted by the class politics but it is defiantly visable at school and in my neighborhood. in todays society it has become more of a challenge the go higher up in class so people mostly go down or stay the same.
ReplyDeleteBecca Miller 100:03
Class politics plays a big part in todays everyday life. Everything that we do generally has to do with class politics. In my life I have seen other people in ,y school getting new clothes and shoe every other day when I buy a pair of shoes to last myself a good while. When it comes to voting your class shouldnt matter but you should based on what you think the right thing to do is. Your class does influence alot of peoles decesions. Generally those of higher classes are chosen as government officials because of their money. Class does play a big part in everyday decesions but race also plays a factor in the situation.
ReplyDeleteKody Hinzman PSCI101:01
DeleteClass has a very large role in American politics. A citizen's class can determine what policies or representatives they should vote for in order to suit their needs. The amount of assets a citizen makes and what class that puts them in, can have a huge determination on their outlook on policies and how politicians view that particular citizen. With examples like the idea of making the more wealthy Americans pay more taxes is something that many lower and middle class citizens wouldn't mind having be put in place. However the more wealthy were outraged by the idea that the federal government would treat citizens of more wealth unequally. Now while not all examples are this blatant and obvious, it still shows that the class a particular individual is in is something that the government is interested in, therefore it's something that citizens should be interested in as well. Class politics is something that is seen everyday, however while it is becoming harder to determine a person's class, that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteKennedy Cook 100:03
Class politics are easy to feel, but not always easy to see in our current system. There is a stark divide between classes based on wealth. Where it affects us is when it deals with politics. Very often people from the wealthier classes gain more say in politics. It is easier for them to get a more direct say with politicians than it is for the average working class citizen. Someone who is the owner of multiple big businesses is going to try to move politics differently than those from the lower classes. Maybe in some cases this isn't bad though. I think it would be wrong to assume that just because someone is from a different class that they are only able to understand and help others in their own class. When voting it is best to look at the candidate's character, beliefs, and policies, instead of making assumptions based purely on class.
ReplyDeleteJaysen Bruno
100:01
I completely agree with you that wealth should not be the main indicator of knowledge when it comes to politics and government. While in an ideal system character would be a wonderful way to choose representatives, unfortunately that's not how the system works and it's sad. It only creates a larger gap between higher and lower classes because money is what chooses representatives now a days.
DeleteCoryn Barger PSCI 100:3
Class politics are very important in America. Class is a major deciding factor of the level of education that people can achieve. As said in the article, education is now a better indicator of class than clothes and possessions, mostly because of the amount of money that it takes to receive higher levels of education. My life has not been significantly effected by class politics because of my lower middle class/working class status. I don't come across many opportunities to realize my inequality to those of a higher class because I don't come into direct contact with them. However, class politics are most certainly important. In regard to voting behavior those in the lower class are more numerous than those in the higher class and if their numbers were put toward voting behaviors there could be policy makers who would represent them in the future, allowing them more opportunity to have political influence.
ReplyDeleteCoryn Barger PSCI 100:3
Just because the lines of class have blurred in America, doesn't mean they aren't there still.There are some serious inequalities when it comes to class politics. Most people are so caught up in politicians and the american dream that they don't realize how harmful most policies are to the lower classes. I think moving forward, Americans need to wake up and realize that they need to start picking policy makers that are actually looking out for the 99% of americans who are not in the upper class.
ReplyDeleteKatherine Madden PSCI 100:3
I do think class politics are important in America. My life has been impacted by them, at least growing up. I never noticed it while I was in elementary school, but by middle school and high school I noticed people getting excluded for the clothes they wore or the phone they had. While those are petty, non-political examples, I still they can still illustrate what goes on in voting. Those with more money tend to have more influence over voting. Candidates always try to show that they understand the lower class by dressing themselves down and saying all the right things, but I just don't think it's that easy. People should be more vigilant when voting for candidates.
ReplyDeleteSummer Varso PSCI 100:01
Class politics are very important today in America even if some citizens believe they dont exist anymore. I believe Marx was correct when he said most people live in a state of alienation when it comes to their class. People are so blind to the class they are a part of that they cant even get together and focus on policies that will help their class. Everyone is so caught up in the fact of the "american dream" and being a part of the middle class that they dont realize some things they vote for in politics is hurting them in the end. I think it is absolutely crazy that there is so much of a gap between the classes and how much the wealthy upper class controls. The 1% upper class controls almost everything that the other 99% has access too and that truly surprised me. I think that people need to get their head out of their asses and realize the classes they are a part of and educate themselves on policies before they vote. That could help themselves and their families and allow them to strive further then they are now. I have never really thought that being a part of a working class family has severely affected my life, I mean we have had times of struggle but who doesnt. I have never really had experiences or opportunities where I was around upper class people to see their lives and the inequalities I am subjected to because of my class. Im not blind to the fact that my family has inequalities do to our income though, its just I cant think of any experiences i have had where it has significantly affected my life.
ReplyDeleteBrooke Sowers PSCI 100:03
I think class politics are much more prevalent in America than most people realize. I was brought up in a lower middle class family, which has made me very aware of policies that directly affect me and my family. While some, such as medicaid, are helpful, there are plenty that harm lower and working class citizens and are biased towards the upper class. Many people fail to see the inequality that is so clearly there, or they just choose to ignore it. Some members of the lower-middle class even support politicians or policies that they don't realize directly harm their own class. It seems to be a trend in this country to deny one's own lower social standing, for whatever reason, and turn on the lower class, blaming them for situations that are often completely out of their control and labeling them "lazy" and "a burden".
ReplyDeletePandora Affemann PSCI 100:03
Like many have said before, class can really have an effect on politics because you are going to vote for the candidate that seems to better have your class's interests in mind. But sometimes people may not know where they really stand. some may think that they are upper middle class when they are not. Seeing that only 1% are considered wealthy and upper class, if middle class and people in poverty were to really get their votes out there for people who would better serve them, I think people would not so much feel like politics are only for rich people and that they are the ones getting favoritism. But at the same time, most politicians are wealthy, so they will always have their class in mind.
ReplyDeleteChevelle Whichard PSCI 100:01
I grew up in a working class family and never realized it until my family moved and my dad got a better job. Only after this shift from working class to upper middle class did I realize the reality of class politics in the United States. Many Americans like to think of their country as relatively free, fair, and civilized. Poverty stricken communities like the projects are proof that this is not the case. In many instances, children who grow up in these environments resort to crime and violence as a means of survival. They did not choose such a life, but rather were born into a hard life. In this way, America is not free or fair. Capitalism fosters the oppression of the working class. As corporations grow, they obtain more control over the poor. This obvious comes with a high potential of abuse, and I believe should not even be allowed in the first place. Preventative measures should be in place to limit the discrepancy between classes.
ReplyDeleteElijah Spinney
PSCI 100:03
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteClass politics are important to an extent.I think that as I type this comment among the rest of the class, I am typing to people getting a college level education while still coming from several differently economic classes. I think class effects how you vote in simple terms. If you're not making money, you want a politician that vows to line your pockets with cash and other benefits. If you already have money, you want a politician that promises to not go anywhere near your money. I think class politics is also relative to location within the United States, and more importantly, relative on a global scale. Class politics are much more intensified and important in countries like Azerbaijan where the income gap is much more significant and GDP per capita is much lower, compared to a place like the United States, which has a much higher GDP per capita and although there is an income gap, it is no where close to many other countries around the world. Overall, from personal experience growing up in northern Virginia and now coming to school in the eastern panhandle, I realize class politics are present, but I would argue they aren't as profound or critical to everyday life and politics as people would make it out to be.
ReplyDeleteStephen Ryan
PSCI 100:01
I definitely agree that class politics affect how you vote. I think your citation of Azerbaijan was quite insightful and a relevant comparison as to why we aren't more class conscious
DeleteEdward Jackman PSCI 100:03
I feel that it is necessary to have well rounded politicians, ones that can truly represent not only the upper but the lower and middle classes as well. Why are we letting men who make over 200,000 a year make decisions based on people who make around 50,000, it makes no sense! I grew up in jefferson county, where you drive an hour and your in downtown DC or 45 min the other way and your in Northern Virgina, one of the richest counties in the states, or you can drive 10 min and your in the slums of Martinsburg. Everywhere around us different classes surround us all varrying in situations, making the class politics extremely prevalent.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI believe class politics still plays a huge role in our government today. Elaborating on a point that Chevelle made, people may not be fully aware of where they stand on the class ladder. People tend to self-describe their class, but could be making political decisions based off the cluelessness of placing themselves in the wrong class. Belonging to a military family, my life was not strongly influenced by class politics and I'm grateful for that. Before enrolling in this course, I was completely uneducated to the political world. As I have learned more about politics I have developed a desire and obligation to become more involved in politics and use my vote toward its full potential. Knowing where we all stand on the social economic ladder would be more beneficial to our actions and choices in the future. From where I'm standing the rich are trying to stay rich while the middle to lower classes are trying to keep their heads above water. The economic gap between the classes has become so large that one side would have to make sacrifices, that they might not be willing to make, in order for the other side to fully realize their goals.
ReplyDeletePSCI 100:01
I do agree that people are not self aware an that they self-describe their class, often times incorrectly. This can greatly affect how they vote and may cause them to "waste" their vote by voting for someone who doesn't really represent them.
DeleteEdward Jackman PSCI 100:03
Class politics aren’t important to most Americans. Perhaps, we should be more aware of our class, so we can seek to be upwardly mobile. I can’t think of specific instances where class politics impacted me. I suppose I’m even more oblivious to whether the effects have happened to those around me. If people were more in tune with class politics they would perhaps vote for different representatives. They would vote for people closer to their class rather than the big wigs most vote for. I think the shift in society toward “equality” socially and the attitude that we all deserve the same rights and freedoms automatically without working for anything tends to prevent class politics from impacting American life more. I also think the shift of the education system to educate everyone formally even those that don’t want to be educated has created less class awareness.
ReplyDeleteEdward Jackman PSCI 100:03
I think class politics are extremely important in America. I definitely believe that class warfare exists. My life has been impacted by class politics, mainly through college. Because of class politics, I am not able to afford higher education on my own, and rather than give me assistance with my education, the wealthy politicians think they deserve tax breaks more than I do. Class politics plays a major role in voting. One of Obama's main platforms has been equalizing the middle and upper classes in America, in order to create more equality and opportunity for the lower classes. I will keep voting for candidates that are proponents of this.
ReplyDeleteMitch Woolley
PSCI 100.01
I think that class politics are definitely a huge part of the American lifestyle. I would say that my life has been impacted by current class politics in America. I feel that it has been easier for me and others to blend in with the middle class or the middle upper class by wearing good name brand clothes, driving new cars, and even having more than one pair of nice shoes. However under all of the nice things is the struggle. The struggle to pay bills and even just the everyday stresses of life on an average person. I think that class politics should greatly influence your voting decisions. Maybe vote for someone that actually represents your type of people not just wether they are democrat or republican. I think that class politics definitely effects American life and its just covered up by material.
ReplyDeleteClass politics are definitely a part of America, whether you want to consider that important or not is up for debate, but it happens regardless. I don't believe my life has been greatly impacted by class politics, or if it has I don't have any knowledge of it. However I do think I can see class politics affecting others, particularly one side of my family, where most of them are working class and have not pursued higher education, I'm not sure whether it's because of financial concerns or they simply chose not to go. Regardless, I do notice a difference between the way they think and live compared to my parents and I who are more along the lines of middle class or upper middle class.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do acknowledge that class politics exist, I don't really consider them important. My working class family members, who you would expect to vote more democratic, vote republican, and my parents and I, who you might expect to vote more republican, vote democrat. I don't think people vote by class, they vote because of how their parents vote because they grew up thinking this way of thinking was the right one.
I think people like to ignore the fact that class exists and that prevents it from affecting day to day life. It's okay to ignore it if you chose but you can't deny it doesn't exist.
Emily Brown PSCI 100:01
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would agree with everyone in saying that class politics play an important role in the United States. I think that everyone’s life has been impacted by class politics in one way or another. I’m not in the upper class, but I have friends who are. This isn’t a super political example, but I know some kids with rich families who pay for their college so they just don’t take it seriously because it isn’t their money to begin with. But like it doesn’t really matter if they keep their grades up or even finish college cause they’re just always going to have money, like a family thing. Class politics matter, so I’d vote for whoever is gonna help me. I’m a whiney college kid, I seriously need help. Anything, if the politician can just hold me for a while. I’d vote him it. Whatever, I’ll re-elect em’ for years.
ReplyDelete100:03
Lorna Morton
Yes, I believe class politics is very important in the United States.Everyone's life is going to be impacted by class politics no matter what. Whether is be positive or negative, class politics will be part of our daily lives. Right now, candidates are preparing to start campaigning for the next election. Class politics plays a huge role in elections. I believe that elections are mainly for the rich people to find ways to either stay rich or get more rich. The lower class don't really have representation in the election. Yeah some candidates may say they're going to help the lower class, but most of them never follow through. Lower class people, such as broke college kids, need means of representation in order to receive help in the future.
ReplyDelete100:03
Antonio Smith
Linda Chavez' story on class was interesting and I think I relate to that the most. Chavez says how she wasn't even aware of being poor when younger. which is a similar situation to what I had as a child. But I think in terms of being in the super rich class, the same can apply to rich children, they have no ideas of worlds outside their own, same with poor children. But I also agree that lower class needs more representation too, due to the congress just being owned by the super-rich lobbyists. Class definately plays a big part in Americas politics, and there is certainly troubling issues around it when it comes to everyone in America being heard and represented truthfully.
ReplyDeleteHolly Campbell
PSCI 100.05
Everyone loves it when people get together and
ReplyDeleteshare thoughts. Great blog, keep it up!
Top profile Escort in Delhi