Social mobility:
Does social Mobility Exist?
Sociology 521
Colby Everett
Social Mobility
• As defined by our textbook: “the extent to which
people move up or down in the class system, especially
from one generation to the next.
• In other words, do we inherit our place in the class
system or is it merited placement?
The individual
• According to the above data, its clear that
occupational inheritance is high.
• Furthermore, sons are more likely to move
up in occupational status as compared to
their fathers.
The Individual
• Younger workers’ social mobility has declined from
45% to 37% from 1970-2000.
• Those who start at the upper end of the occupational
spectrum, tend to stay there or gain wealth.
• Movement from lower to upper is statistically rare.
Likewise, movement from upper to lower is rare.
• As is, society has formed an unbeatable divergence.
Society
• In feudalism, society is separated into two classes:
• Aristocracy
• Peasants
• Neither class is mobile, children will be born into their
parents societal position
As society industrializes, the chance for upward mobility
increases.
Society by country
• In a 2009 study, Wilkinson and Pickett analyzed social
mobility in developing countries.
• Between Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden,
Norway, Germany, UK, and USA, USA had
HIGHEST inequality and LOWEST mobility.
• In the United States, social mobility is very difficult,
given societal setup.
• This is reliant on the individual who follows in the
parent’s footsteps.
Lacking Mobility
• Similarly, Paul Krugman found a “clear negative
relationship” between income inequality as it relates to
intergenerational mobility.
• Piketty, in 2014, supported these findings in his
defining of “patrimonial capitalism” where you will
most likely be rich if your father is rich.
Does it Exist?
• Social mobility, has a place as a concept, but locating
an example of upward mobility is difficult.
• The United States is far removed from upward social
mobility.
-Capitalism gives some opportunity for upward mobility, but
Picketty believes living off wealth and subsistence living will
long separate upper and lower classes.
Conclusion
• Worldwide: social mobility exists, but is very very rare.
• Wilkinson and Pickett’s finding state the United States has
highest inequality and lowest opportunity for mobility.
• Krugman’s findings state inequality and mobility cannot
coexist.
• Picketty solidified the above findings with his understanding
of “patrimonial capitalism”.
• Social mobility basically doesn’t exist in the United States.
Questions
• Do you believe, based on observation, that social
mobility exists in the United States?
• Do you believe social mobility must be increased on
the individual level or on the societal level? i.e., should
we provide more individual opportunities or
implement new public policies.
• Questions?
References
• Piketty, Thomas (2014). Capital in the 21st century. Belknap
Press.
• Wilkinson, Richard and Kate Pickett (2009). The Spirit Level:
Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger. Bloomsbury
Press.
• The Great Gatsby Curve Paul Krugman| 15 January 2012
• Gilbert, Dennis L. The American Class Structure in an Age of
Growing Inequality. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
• Grusky, David B., and Szonja Szelényi. The Inequality
Reader: Contemporary and Foundational Readings in Race,
Class, and Gender. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2007. Print.