Voting Behaviour: Social Class

Definition of Social Class:

• Definition: A measure of an individual's status or position within society, encompassing income, wealth, occupation, education, etc.
• Criteria: Different classifications use various factors to determine social class.

Historical Social Class Classification:

• Social Class A: Senior Professional
• Social Class B: Lower professional
• Social Class C1: Skilled
• Social Class C2: Semi-skilled
• Social Class D/E: Low-skilled/unemployed

National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC):

• Professional/Managerial: Higher managerial and professional occupations (A/B), Lower managerial and professional occupations.
• Intermediate: Intermediate occupations (clerical, sales, service), Small employers and own account workers (C), Lower supervisory and technical occupations.
• Routine/Unemployed: Semi-routine occupations, Routine occupations (D/E), Long-term unemployed/never worked

Voting Behaviour and Social Class:

• Historical Trends: In the past, social class often influenced voting patterns.
• Example: Working-class individuals historically leaned towards Labour, while middle and upper-class individuals supported Conservative.

Factors Influencing Voting Behaviour by Social Class:

Economic Policies:

• The working class may prioritise policies addressing income inequality and workers' rights.
• Middle and upper-class may focus on economic stability and business-friendly policies.

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Voting Behaviour: Social Class

Education Policies:

• The working class may support policies enhancing access to education and job training.
• Middle and upper-class may emphasise high-quality education and private schooling options.

Healthcare Policies:

• Working-class may favour policies ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare.
• Middle and upper-class may seek high-quality healthcare services.

Contemporary Relevance of Social Class in Voting Behaviour:

• Evolution: While social class historically played a significant role, contemporary voting behaviour is influenced by diverse factors.
• Shifts: Changing economic landscapes and social issues have led to shifts in voting patterns.

Conclusion:

Understanding social class provides insights into historical voting trends, but a broader range of factors influences contemporary voting behaviour. Economic, educational, and healthcare policies remain key determinants, but individual values and societal changes also significantly shape modern voting patterns.