6. Who constitutes the “New Class”? How does the New Class differ from more traditional elites in its political attitudes? How do you explain the attitudes of the New Class? Are its members “enlightened” by higher education? Do they have class interest different from more traditional elites? Consider the two occupational categories mentioned in the text – banker, doctors, corporation presidents, and wall street lawyers (the traditional elite) veruss government officials, research scientists, professors, and the mass media. Which group would benefit most from each of the following developments?
- Large-scale nationalization of industry
- A reduction of income taxes on high incomes
- An increase in the number of social welfare programs
- Increased government control over the economy
- More political democracy through, for example, referenda
How does your text material define "new class?" We'll be glad to help you after you (1) define new class, and (2) make an attempt to answer these questions.
What is the school subject that these questions are about?
To understand the answers to these questions, we need to first define the concept of the "New Class." The term "New Class" refers to a group of professionals and intellectuals who hold positions of power and influence in society. They are often characterized by their higher education and expertise in specialized fields such as government, academia, media, and research.
Compared to more traditional elites, the New Class tends to have different political attitudes. They usually lean towards more progressive and liberal ideologies, emphasizing social justice, equality, and the role of government in addressing societal issues. This divergence in political attitudes may be attributed to their exposure to higher education and their perceived expertise in their respective fields.
Explaining the attitudes of the New Class can be subjective and vary among individuals. However, their higher education and specialization often contribute to their perception of being more enlightened or informed about societal problems and potential solutions. This, combined with their belief in the ability of government intervention to address these issues, can shape their attitudes toward various policies and societal developments.
The New Class may have class interests that differ from more traditional elites. While the traditional elite, such as bankers, corporation presidents, and Wall Street lawyers, may have a greater focus on economic growth and the free market, the New Class, including government officials, research scientists, professors, and the mass media, may prioritize social welfare, equality, and the role of government in regulating and controlling the economy.
To consider which group would benefit most from specific developments, let's examine the following scenarios:
1. Large-scale nationalization of industry: The traditional elite, particularly bankers and corporation presidents, may be negatively affected by this development as it could undermine their control and ownership of private industries. On the other hand, the New Class, including government officials and professors, may support this development as it aligns with their belief in government intervention and regulation for the greater good.
2. Reduction of income taxes on high incomes: The traditional elite, including those with high incomes like bankers and corporation presidents, would benefit the most from this development as it would allow them to retain more of their earnings. The New Class, although not uniformly, may be more supportive of progressive taxation to redistribute wealth and promote social welfare programs.
3. Increase in the number of social welfare programs: The New Class, with its emphasis on social justice and equality, would likely benefit more from an increase in social welfare programs as they align with their ideological beliefs and professional interests. The traditional elite may have concerns about the financial burden and potential impact on market dynamics.
4. Increased government control over the economy: The New Class, including government officials and research scientists, may generally support increased government control over the economy as they believe it can lead to more equitable outcomes and address societal issues. Traditional elites, such as bankers and corporation presidents, may be more resistant to this development as it could potentially restrict their economic freedoms and profitability.
5. More political democracy through, for example, referenda: The New Class, especially those in academia and the mass media, may generally support increased political democracy and avenues for direct citizen participation. They could see it as a means to empower individuals and promote progressive policies. Traditional elites, however, may have concerns about the potential influence of populist or uninformed decision-making through referenda.
It is important to note that these are generalizations, and individual attitudes and interests may vary within both the New Class and the traditional elite.