The Educated Underclass
Students and the Promise of Social Mobility
Published on 20. April 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-7453-3922-1 (ISBN)
Description
We live in a world with too many graduates fighting for too few jobs; where Deliveroo and FedEx drivers have advanced degrees.
The Educated Underclass offers a much-needed look at this societal restructuring from the perspective of students. Gary Roth examines the way that universities often reproduce traditional class hierarchies, the mechanisms that enable upward and downward social mobility, and how the 'overproduction of intelligence' hinders students, calling for a realignment of how social classes function today.
The dream of social mobility is dying. Where previous generations where expected to surpass their parents' level of economic success, prospects for today's graduates are increasingly bleak.
The Educated Underclass offers a much-needed look at this societal restructuring from the perspective of students. Gary Roth examines the way that universities often reproduce traditional class hierarchies, the mechanisms that enable upward and downward social mobility, and how the 'overproduction of intelligence' hinders students, calling for a realignment of how social classes function today.
The dream of social mobility is dying. Where previous generations where expected to surpass their parents' level of economic success, prospects for today's graduates are increasingly bleak.
Reviews / Votes
'Modern American capitalism is producing a vast population of under-employed and unemployed yet highly educated people. Gary Roth provides a meticulously researched dissection of this phenomenon.' -- Steve Fraser, author of 'Class Matters: The Strange Career of an American Delusion' 'A fascinating analysis that plots the distance between what we think we know about education and what the reality actually is. Cuts through the cloudiness of our long-held illusions.' -- Alfred Lubrano, author of 'Limbo: Blue Collar Roots, White Collar Dreams'More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
249 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-3922-1 (9780745339221)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2019
1st Edition
Pluto Press
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Gary Roth is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Rutgers University, Newark. He is the author of The Educated Underclass (Pluto, 2019) and Marxism in a Lost Century: A Biography of Paul Mattick (Brill/Haymarket Books, 2015).
Content
Introduction
1. Higher Education and Class
2. The Overproduction of Intelligence
3. Class in Transition: Historical Background
4. Underemployment Through the Decades
5. The Educated Underclass
6. Into the Future
Index
1. Higher Education and Class
2. The Overproduction of Intelligence
3. Class in Transition: Historical Background
4. Underemployment Through the Decades
5. The Educated Underclass
6. Into the Future
Index