Policy and Governance

Social class still exists in contemporary society, although they do not have the same social power. Today when people speak of ‘class’ they are often referring to the level of economic wealth a person has (and often this discussion draws on Marxist ideas, discussed later in this module). Therefore, the upper class is the wealthiest group in society and the middle and lower classes are similarly defined.

The big difference between these two systems of class is social mobility—the opportunity to change class. The feudal hierarchy is based on your birth—if you were born a noble, you were always a noble regardless of what happened in your life or how much money you had. Whereas today, a person can make money and move into the upper class and in the same lifetime, lose it all and fall to the lower class. We’ve also come to recognise the importance of ‘intersectionality’ and the necessity of considering multiple forms of potential othering that can contribute to oppression and privilege within society (for more information see: Lutz, 2022).

Author Marcia Anita Hobbs (BNoose) latest studies.

True Crime. Human Rights Matter. A Better World.