This study investigates how intra-generational class mobility affects long-term political preferences using a panel dataset of British respondents. The analysis reveals that upward economic movement leads to modest increases in economic conservatism, without altering party choice or non-economic attitudes. However, broader ideological and preference patterns remain unchanged by shifts in material circumstances alone.
Key findings highlight the limited influence of recent class position on certain core political identities, contrasting sharply with cross-sectional differences observed elsewhere.
Contrary to expectations that rising social standing should correlate with increased economic liberalism, the results suggest minimal change even when individuals move up economically.
This indicates political preferences tied to non-economic issues are largely resilient to class mobility effects. The persistence of these views despite changing material circumstances suggests early life experiences and deep-seated socialization may shape enduring ideological commitments more significantly than immediate economic interests.
The findings challenge simplistic models linking class position directly to specific policy preferences or party identification in adulthood.
| Explaining the Relationship Between Class Position and Political Preferences: A Long-term Panel Analysis of Intra-generational Class Mobility was authored by Peter Egge Langsæther, Geoffrey Evans and Tom O'Grady. It was published by Cambridge in BJPS in 2022. |
