Cultural-specific dimensions of societal re-formation within the German middle class

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Cultural-specific dimensions of societal re-formation within the German middle class

Journal Title: Przegląd Socjologiczny - Year 2017, Vol 0, Issue 4

Abstract

The article examines ways of re-formation of the (German) middle class caused by the perception of social (and individual) crises (in our example over-indebtedness) and associated uncertainty. Which are the strategies that middle-class members develop to cope with those perceived crises and which factors contribute to the originating of new civic formations? In that context, we emphasize on the impact of culture-specific orientation patterns regarding specific societal groups. We refer to the work of Douglas and Wildavsky [1982] and Cornia, Dressel and Pfeil [2016] and concentrate on the collective dimension in asking, how does the middle class and parts of it like societal subgroups (in our example overindebted people) perceive and interpret social developments and crises (framing)? Which is the relationship between the middle class and institutional actors and the confidence they have in these actors, especially regarding the dealing with social crises and connected solutions? Who do middle-class members blame for the crises and the risks of social decline (blaming)? This is a central question directly connected with the way of dealing with risks and the assumption of responsibility.

Authors and Affiliations

Patricia Pfeil, Udo Dengel, Marion Müller

Keywords

middle class social crisis over-indebtedness re-formation German middle class cultural-specific dimensions civil society social risks

EP ID EP262613
DOI 10.26485/PS/2017/66.4/2
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