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Cross-National Variation in European Patterns of Social Fluidity: The Effects of Agriculture, Hierarchy and Property

Author

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  • Richard Breen

    (The Queen's University Belfast)

  • Christopher T. Whelan

    (Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI))

Abstract

In this paper we develop a mobility model which seeks to operationalise Goldthorpe's (1980: 99) argument that social fluidity is shaped by three factors - namely, resources for mobility; the desirability of different class destinations; and the barriers to entry to class positions. We argue that, in trying to apply this insight, three factors must be modelled. These are, first, the particular position of the agricultural sector vis-avis the non agricultural sector; second, the advantages that accrue to those who own the means of production; and, thirdly, the hierarchical mobility that arises from the distribution of resources, barriers and desirability once we have controlled for the foregoing factors. We apply this model to the European nations in the CASMIN data set and to data on Irish mobility collected in 1987. We argue that our model allows for a new approach to comparative study of social mobility and to the question of the relationship between social mobility and politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Breen & Christopher T. Whelan, 1991. "Cross-National Variation in European Patterns of Social Fluidity: The Effects of Agriculture, Hierarchy and Property," Papers WP027, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:esr:wpaper:wp027
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    File URL: https://www.esri.ie/pubs/WP027.pdf
    File Function: First version, 1991
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Breen & Christopher T. Whelan, 1991. "Life-Course Mobility as an Intergenerational Process: Intragenerational Mobility in Ireland," Papers WP031, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

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