Is Ireland a classless society?
Date Submitted: 10/21/2003 09:55:59
Category: / Social Sciences / Sociology
Length: 5 pages (1351 words)
Category: / Social Sciences / Sociology
Length: 5 pages (1351 words)
Discuss the contention that Ireland is a classless society.
'Class' is what happens when some men, as a result of common experiences (inherited or shared) feel and articulate the identity of their interests as between themselves and as against other men whose interests are different from (and usually opposed to) theirs.' (E.P. Thompson, 1968)
One hundred years ago I might have been able to agree with the title of this essay, I might have …
Is this Essay helpful? Join now to read this particular paper
and access over 480,000 just like this GET BETTER GRADES
and access over 480,000 just like this GET BETTER GRADES
…distinguish themselves from others on the basis of cultural tastes and leisure pursuits.
I don't agree however, that Ireland is a classless society, I believe that we are gradually moving towards a more meritocratic society, or wish to be viewed as a meritocratic society, but as the case of Soviet Russia illustrated, no society can ever be completely classless. As John Scott argues, 'class remains the sociological key to understanding the structure of society' Scott, 1994:19)
Need a custom written paper? Let our professional writers save your time.