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'IT IS NOT A MATTER OF TASTE ... '.
- Source :
- European Societies; Feb2011, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p143-163, 21p
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Upper classes and elites are usually exclusive circles which are hard to enter. In this paper we approach one such group using a focus group interview: a group from the Swedish-speaking upper class in officially bilingual Finland. Our paper addresses Bourdieu's idea of distinction by cultural or taste distinctions. In comparison to some international studies on elites and upper classes, our group was surprisingly keen on expressing disgust towards other tastes and lifestyles and therefore other classes and/or social groups. One might be surprised at how efficiently distinction works in the Swedish-speaking old upper class and how politically incorrect its outspokenness about cultural superiority is. In this specific group, there is a double-distinction: not only are Finnish speakers looked down upon regardless of their class position, almost any other group is, too. In this sense, this is more or less a case par excellence of Bourdieu's theory of distinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SURVEYS
UPPER class
FINLAND-Swedes
CULTURAL capital
DIFFERENTIATION (Sociology)
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14616696
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- European Societies
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 58529454
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2010.523477