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Measuring Class Hierarchies in Postindustrial Societies: A Criterion and Construct Validation of EGP and ESEC Across 31 Countries

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  • Oscar Smallenbroek
  • Florian R. Hertel
  • Carlo Barone

Abstract

In social stratification research, the most frequently used social class schema are based on employment relations (EGP and ESEC). These schemes have been propelled to paradigms for research on social mobility and educational inequalities and applied in cross-national research for both genders. Using the European Working Conditions Survey, we examine their criterion and construct validity across 31 countries and for both genders. We investigate whether classes are welldelineated by the theoretically assumed dimensions of employment relations and we assess how several measures of occupational advantage differ across classes. We find broad similarity in the criterion validity of EGP and ESEC across genders and countries as well as satisfactory levels of construct validity. However, the salariat classes are too heterogeneous and their boundaries with the intermediate classes are blurred. To improve the measurement of social class, we propose to differentiate managerial and professional occupations within the lower and higher salariat respectively. We show that implementing these distinctions in ESEC and EGP improves their criterion validity and allows to better identify privileged positions.

Suggested Citation

  • Oscar Smallenbroek & Florian R. Hertel & Carlo Barone, 2024. "Measuring Class Hierarchies in Postindustrial Societies: A Criterion and Construct Validation of EGP and ESEC Across 31 Countries," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 53(3), pages 1412-1452, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:53:y:2024:i:3:p:1412-1452
    DOI: 10.1177/00491241221134522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Piketty & Emmanuel Saez & Gabriel Zucman, 2018. "Distributional National Accounts: Methods and Estimates for the United States," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 133(2), pages 553-609.
    2. Roxanne Connelly & Vernon Gayle & Chris Playford, 2021. "Social class inequalities in educational attainment: measuring social class using capitals, assets and resources," Contemporary Social Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 280-293, May.
    3. Gallie, Duncan & White, Michael & Cheng, Yuan & Tomlinson, Mark, 1998. "Restructuring the Employment Relationship," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198294412.
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    1. Waitkus, Nora & Savage, Mike & Toft, Maren, 2025. "Wealth and class analysis: exploitation, closure and exclusion," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 124534, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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