Social Classes vs Professional Stereotypes in Greece. A View to a Fogy Social Construction

In the context of the largest crisis that capitalism has ever faced the discussion on social class and class consciousness seems more relevant than ever. The Greek crisis strikes as an ideal opportunity to start this debate. The phenomenal rise of the middle class in Greece over the last four decades has shaped a very problematic framework for a deep and rational analysis of social classes in contemporary Greek society. The policy that had enabled public servants and small businessmen to have access to social goods - that until a few years ago was exclusive privilege of the upper class - has changed the dominant model of interpretation of social stratification and hierarchy in modern Greek society. This study by using a mixed questionnaire (Likert scale and Content Analysis of the written texts) investigates the class stereotypes and the class consciousness of the Greek youth, while trying to clarify the facts of class stratification in the country in the midst of an unprecedented economic, social and political crisis.