STABILITY OF PRESTIGE HIERARCHIES IN THE FACE OF SOCIAL CHANGES: POLAND,1958-1987

Abstract

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies worldwide demonstrate that consensus and stability characterise prestige hierarchies. In Poland changes in values, and economic and political crises since 1975, provide the circumstances in which a 1987 survey of employed people re-examines this stability. Results indicate persisting stability with a correlation of 0.94 between the prestige scores of 1975 and 1987, but also show some changes in relative scores, including the downgrading of occupations connected with authority and of clerical jobs, and the upgrading of skilled workers (especially miners), farmers and small business people. These changes suggest that rationality and effectiveness are becoming more important in prestige ratings and the continuing high prestige of the intelligentsia in spite of low earnings, a Polish idiosyncracy, may show economic reality is being made to fit persistent norms.

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