Social Class in Europe: An Introduction to the European Socio-economic Classification

Description

This timely volume introduces a new social class schema, the European Socio-economic Classification (ESeC), which has been specifically developed and tested for use in EU comparative research. Social Class in Europe aims to introduce researchers to the new classification and its research potential. Since socio-economic classifications are so widely used in official and academic research, this collection is essential reading for all users of both government and academic social classifications. While primarily aimed at researchers who will be using the ESeC, the book’s contents will also have a wider appeal as it is suitable for students taking substantive courses in European studies or as a supplementary text for undergraduates studying the EU, Sociology and Economics. Because of its inherent methodological interest, the book should prove a valuable tool for undergraduate and graduate courses that discuss how social scientists construct and validate basic measures. It will also be required reading for policy makers and analysts concerned with social inequality and social exclusion across Europe. Dedication Contents List of figures List of tables Notes on contributors Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Part I: Introducing the ESeC 1 The European Socio-economic Classification: a prolegomenon • David Rose, Eric Harrison and David Pevalin 2 From derivation to validation: evidence from the UK and beyond • Eric Harrison and David Rose 3 The application of ESeC to three sources of comparative European data • Rhys Davies and Peter Elias Part II: Measuring social class 4 Social class and employment relations: comparisons between the ESeC and EGP class schemas using European data • Erik Bihagen, Magnus Nermo and Robert Erikson 5 Measuring social class: the case of Germany • Heike Wirth, Cornelia Gresch, Walter Müller, Reinhard Pollak and Felix Weiss 6 The comparative measurement of supervisory status • Reinhard Pollak, Gerrit Bauer, Walter Müller, Felix Weiss and Heike Wirth 7 Stable and consistent with the employment relations theoretical background? Does the prototype ESeC show these qualities with French data? • Cécile Brousse, Olivier Monso and Loup Wolff Part III: Using ESeC in comparative research on social class 8 The effectiveness of ESeC and EGP in clustering occupations: a study of occupational wage growth in Sweden • Erik Bihagen and Magnus Nermo 9 Class and poverty: cross-sectional and dynamic analysis of income poverty and lifestyle deprivation • Dorothy Watson, Christopher T. Whelan and Bertrand Maître 10 Using the ESeC to describe socio-economic inequalities in health in Europe • Anton E. Kunst and Albert-Jan Roskam 11 Unemployment risks in four EU countries: a validation study of the ESeC • Mario Lucchini and Antonio Schizzerotto 12 Class of origin and educational inequalities in contemporary Italy: a validation analysis of the ESeC • Carlo Barone, Antonio Schizzerotto and Roberta Barone Part IV: Conclusions 13 ESeC in retrospect and prospect: an epilogue • David Rose and Eric Harrison Bibliography Author index Subject index