Russian Middle Classes Criterial Identification

Russian Middle Classes Criterial Identification


Bobkov V.N.

Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Prof., Head of Laboratory of the Problems of Level of Life and Quality of Life at Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chief Research Scientist at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia. bobkovvn@mail.ru

Odintsova Ye.V.

Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Leading Researcher of Laboratory of the Problems of Level of Life and Quality of Life at Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia odin_ev@mail.ru

Kvachev V.G.

Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Senior Lecturer at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia kvachevvg@mail.ru

ID of the Article:


The research is supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 16-02-00533-OGN (ОГН).


For citation:

Bobkov V.N., Odintsova Ye.V., Kvachev V.G. Russian Middle Classes Criterial Identification. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2019. No 4. P. 118-125




Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of middle classes identification. The authors propose criterial approach according to which middle classes are identified according to predetermined criteria. These criteria could be determined in relation to social and economic situation in particular society. There are two types of criteria: objective criterion that includes professional status, education, income, wealth, property etc.; subjective criterion – self-identification of middle classes representatives. To specify these criteria for Russian society the authors conducted expert poll among highly experienced in this topic individuals. Respondents were asked to estimate proposed in the questionnaire criteria for middle classes identification. After conducting analysis of the survey’ results the authors proposed model of criteria relevance to Russian conditions depending on the assessment by the expert.


Keywords
middle classes; identification criteria; criteria boundaries; social standards; education; employment position; prosperity; self-identification; expert poll

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Content No 4, 2019