Michèle Lamont (Harvard University), Andrew Miles (University of Manchester), and Hilary Pilkington, Unviersity of Manchester)
We present preliminary results from a study of whether and how low status white-collar and blue-collar young adult workers (18-30 years old) living in Greater Manchester, New Hampshire and in Oldham, UK, seek recognition through politics. Forty-five US participants were interviewed before or shortly after the 2024 Presidential election about how they understand their personal and political identity, their political views and (non) involvement in politics, and how they connect the latter with gaining recognition and respect. Based on qualitative computer-assisted content analysis, we identify four inductively-derived recognition paths through which these workers engage in politics, often by combining them. These are “distance from politics,” “recognition through inclusion and redistribution,” “recognition through exclusion,” and “recognition through elevation.” By analyzing how such paths operate, we contribute to broadening our understanding of the cultural dynamics fed by growing inequality.
After presenting early findings from the US data, we will describe the ongoing research in Oldham, including ongoing challenges, hypotheses, and results from the dozen interviews.