ABSTRACT
Beck (1987) has argued that in wealthy Western industrialized societies, but especially in West Germany, class divisions and traditional collective solidarities have been breaking down since 1945. He suggests that the loss of class solidarity and the traditional support networks of the family and the community have led to an increased emphasis on the individual private world. There are, however, contradictory tendencies and when the individual is under threat from bureaucracies, ‘new sociocultural commonalities’ could emerge, based on the interests, ambitions and commitments of individuals rather than on class identity. These processes of change are still under way and patterns of social inequality persist, obscuring from view the changing social meaning of inequality. Nevertheless,
…subcultural class identities have dissipated, class distinctions based on ‘status’ have lost their traditional support, and processes for the ‘diversification’ and ‘individualization’ of life styles and ways of life have been set in motion. As a result, the hierarchical model of social classes and strata has increasingly been subverted. It no longer corresponds to the realities. (ibid, p. 341)
Beck argues that the process of individualization is no longer restricted to the bourgeoisie. In all sectors of society people are demanding more control over their own lives despite the increased risk that may result from the loss of traditional forms of group support. Risks are therefore more shared. Educational and labour market institutions stress individual success and encourage competitiveness. The pressure of competition means that people become isolated among their peers and must take responsibility for themselves. Life thus becomes a ‘biographical project’.
