Connectivity and Conflict in Periods of Austerity: what do we know about middle class political activism and its effects on public services?
There is concern that the middle classes enjoy advantages over less affluent social groups in relation to public service provision. Research on this question is, however, fragmented across policy fields and disciplines.
This project involved conducting the first realist synthesis of academic research from the UK, US and Scandinavia since 1980 on this question. It found that there is indeed evidence of middle class advantage in relation to public services, with the evidence most secure with respect to the UK, and especially the fields of schooling, health and land use planning.
It also found, however, that there is insufficient evidence to identify the scale or import of additional benefit. The research identified four causal theories derived from the evidence which appear to explain how this advantage comes about. It also argues for a more concerted research effort designed to determine the nature, extent and import of middle class advantage.
Researchers
- Annette Hastings, University of Glasgow
- Peter Matthews, University of Stirling
Timescale
2011
Funder
Arts and Humanities Research Council (Connected Communities Programme)
Publications
Hastings, A. and Matthews, P. (2011) Connectivity and Conflict in Periods of Austerity: what do we know about middle class political activism and its effects on public services?Main report. Arts and Humanities Research Council Connected Communities Programme
Hastings, A., and Matthews, P. (2011) Connectivity and Conflict in Periods of Austerity. Technical Report. University Of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Hastings, A., and Matthews, P. (2011) "Sharp Elbows": Do the Middle-Classes have Advantages in Public Service Provision and if so how? Project Report. University Of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Links
- Understanding middle class community activism, article by Peter Hastings in New Start magazine