Social class in Venadia
The social structure of Venadia has historically been highly influenced by social and economic classes and castes, with the 19th century and early 20th century being particularly noted for a high degree of class struggle and identity. In the modern era, Venadian social classes are represented by a moderate amount of social mobility and a higher degree of equality than historically. Venadia is considered to have between four and eight social classes, commonly grouped into the elite, middle-class, working class and farmers. An expanded view of social classes in Venadia groups the population into the nobility, upper class, upper-middle class, professional class, lower-middle class, working class, farmers and the underclass.
Before the 18th, Venadia was divided into a fairly strict caste society where an individual's profession and social status was mainly inherited, with a fairly low levels of social mobility. With the abolishment of serfdom in 1756, of most noble privileges in 1847 and the burgeoning industrial revolution, Venadia entered a period of a great deal of social mobility and urbanization. Some groups in Venadia were also always considered to operate outside of the class system until the modern era, such as the Jews.
Social class in modern Venadia is only considered to be partially an economical affair, with the social and cultural one being just as important. The distinction between lower-middle class, professional class and working class tend to be as much about values, culture and tradition as it is about occupation and wealth, and the same goes for the distinction between wealthy upper class and the aristocratic elite.
In the early and mid 20th century, social class was considered the most important factor in terms of political support, but in the modern era this effect has lessened greatly. While social class remains an important factor, the political support of the Venadian social classes are far more diverse now than seventy years ago, especially among youth.
Terminology
Prior to the 18th century, the term 'class' was seldom used. Estates and stratas were more commonly used, and society was considered to be grouped into nobility, clergy, freemen and serfs, with peoples such as the Jews and Travellers operating outside of the Venadian social system. With the industrial revolution and the growth of wealth over family as a primary means of gauging social rank, the term class became increasingly common. With the exception of the nobility, social class in Venadia is more commonly a means of informal identification rather than a legal caste or class system.
Informal classifications
Estimated Venadian social structure
The Elite
The Elite in Venadia is considered to include both the the aristocracy and the wealthy. While most members of the aristocracy are well-off, only two out of Venadia's ten richest individuals are members of the aristocracy. The aristocracy has traditionally been the dominant force in Venadian politics and governance, and even in the modern era they maintain a disproportinate influence on Venadian governance. The Venadian Aristocracy represent 0.3% of the total population. The nobility derive their wealth largely from land-ownership and jobs in academia, the state and to a lesser extent the private sector and the arts.
The non-noble Elite is considered to have its origins in the industrial revolution, and grew out of the urban artisan and bourgeois class of pre-modern Venadia. It largely consists of the industrialist and corporate families, and unlike the very restrictive nobility, sees a decent amount of social mobility, both of lower classes becoming upper class and of families in the elite falling. The non-Noble Elite are estimated to be roughly 1% of the population. The non-noble elite derive their wealth largely from the financial sector and industry.
Typical characteristics of the elite are university education, a long family history, a Boyar accent (which the non-noble elite also tend to affect) and large self-owned housing. Conspicious consumption is traditionally unimportant to the Venadian Elite, with comfortable living traditionally being more important than extravagant living. Religion is important to the Venadian Elite, especially the Boyars, with the lowest amount of irreligion among any social class. Traditionally, the Elite was tutored rather than educated, but in the past two centuries private schooling and university education has overtaken tutoring. The Nobility tend to value tradition, family and manners, while the Wealthy Elite tend to value entrepeneurship, hard-work and civility. Both groups tend to value moderation.
The Elite in general tend to be highly educated, and possess a great deal of social capital and economic capital. While it is the smallest social class, it carries a great deal of incluence in Venadian society, governance and economy. Politically, the noble elite is one of the most steadfastly conservative groups in Venadia with a high degree of support for the UP and GVP, while the non-noble elite sees a great deal of variation, but primarily rally behind the mainstream LRP and SP.
The Professionals
The Professional Class is considered largely to involve academics and state-employees and their families. While it possesses a great amount of social mobility, Venadia also has a traditional professional class, as families involved in state-work tend to remain in that position. Diplomats, administrative officials, non-noble military officers, clergymen, sheriffs, representatives, teachers and more are considered to be in the Professional class. Until 1847, a great deal of members of this class received non-inherited lesser nobility as a result of their work. Around 16% of the population are considered to be in the Professional class. While not wealthy, the professional class still carries a great amount of social prestige.
Typical characteristics of the Professional Class are university education, a lack of local dialect, and self-owned housing. While the Professional Class' income is comparable to the lower middle class and working class, the Professional Class tend to be highly respected outside of economic boundaries, and a disproportinate amount of community leaders are of this class. The Professional Class is highly educated, largely in state-run education facilities, and are stereotypically considered austere and serious. The Professional Class tend to value tradition and civility.
The Professional Class tends to be well educated, and possess a significant amount of social capital, but only moderate economic capital. Politically, the Professional Class tend to rally behind the SP, as well as other mainstream parties like the UP and the LRP.
The Middle Classes
The Middle Classes in Venadia are a relatively recent group, and are considered to have their origins in the late 18th and 19th centuries. The Middle Classes tend to be subgrouped into upper-middle, middle-middle and lower-middle classes, and is by far the most diverse class as far as wealth, type of work and customs go. The middle classes consist of entrepeneurs, educated workers, skilled workers, self-employed, small-business owners, scientists, journalists, office workers and more are all considered to be in the middle classes. There is a high degree of overlap between the Upper-Middle Class and the non-noble Elite, as well as between the Lower-Middle Class and the Working Class. Roughly 26% of Venadia's population are considered to be in one of the middle classes.
Typical characteristics of the Middle Classes are some amount of higher education, mortgaged and expansive housing, conspicious consumption and mild local dialects. The Middle Classes ranges from low-moderate to high incomes, and are in a wide variety of work, but is primarily considered an urban class. The Middle Classes are stereotyped as ambitious and discontent with their lot in life, with the upper-middle class desiring to become a part of the elite, the middle-middle class desiring to become a part of the upper-middle class and so on. The Middle Classes tend to value economical prosperity and keeping up appearances.
The Middle Classes tend to be somewhat well educated (particularly the upper and middle-middle class), and possess a moderate amount of social and economic capital. Politically, the Middle Classes are the core electorate of the LRP and the CRP,
The Farmers
Non-noble farmers are commonly grouped as their own class, and are divided between landed and unlanded farmers, and historically the serfs. While dubbed farmers, this social class also includes other rural groups, such as hunters, ranchers and rural domestic servants. All non-noble farmers are considered to be part of this class, including large-scale ranchers and landowners, middle-farmers, small-farmers, cooperative farmers and unlanded agricultural workers. Historically, this class of people was by far the largest, but in the past two centuries have shrunk significantly. Around 7% are considered to be a part of this class.
Typical characteristics of farmers are self-owned housing, strong local dialects, a lack of education and a high degree of involvement in traditional culture. Incomes among the farmers vary, but tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum. The farmers are stereotyped as traditional, community-minded and uneducated. While rural flight was long a phenomenon in Venadia, in the past decades this has decreased greatly. Religion remains important to the farmers, with farmers having the second-lowest rate of irreligion among Venadian social classes. The Farmers tend to value tradition and hard work.
The Farmers possess a low amount of economic capital and moderate-low social capital. Politically, the farmers tend to be conservative, with a high degree of support for the UP but the SP and the GVP also has a great deal of support among farmers.
The Working Class
The Working Class is both considered a recent phenomenon and an old one. While the urban working class of unskilled labourers, service workers, lower skilled workers and factory workers are considered a result of the industrial revolution, groups such as miners, timber workers and domestic servants are also considered to be a part of the working class, and is as old as any. Some skilled professions are also considered to be working class, such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters. The early 20th century was the height of the working class in terms of proportionate amount in the population, but in the latter 20th century shrank as the middle classes and underclass grew, however it is still considered to be the single largest class in terms of population. Roughly 32% of the population are considered to be in the working class.
Typical characteristics are rented or mortgaged apartments, moderate dialects and a lack of higher education. Incomes among the working class tend to be low to moderate. The Working Class is stereotyped as uncouth, community-minded, direct and hard-working. The working class, along with the nobility, the professionals and the farmers, tend to take the most pride in their class among Venadian social classes, and the working class tend to shun its members who rise above them. The working class tend to value hard-work, solidarity and family.
The Working Class possess a moderate-low amount of economic capital and a low amount of social capital. Politically, the working class tend to align towards the left, being the core electorate of both the SP and CPV, but the PP derive a significant amount of their support from the Working Class.
The Underclass
The Underclass is a term for a wide variety of groups, and is considered to be on the bottom of the Venadian social structure. The Underclass includes the chronically unemployed, criminals, certain minority groups and workers in precarious, temporary and part-time jobs. The Underclass is growing in Venadia, and retail store clerks, urban domestic servants, cleaners, various unskilled part-time jobs and more are considered to be typical underclass professions, in addition to including the chronically unemployed. Roughly 18% of Venadia's population are considered to fall into the underclass, although it carries a great deal of overlap with the Working Class.
Typical characteristics are living in subsidized state-housing, heavy sociolects and dialects and a lack of education. Incomes among the underclass tend to be very low. The Underclass is stereotyped as criminal, uneducated and direct. The Underclass tends to have a high level of distrust for the government and establishment, and a low degree of social mobility in the modern day. A high number of the Venadian underclass are ethnic minorities. The underclass tend to value strength (economical, personal, etc) and community.
The Underclass has a low amount of economic capital and a very low amount of social capital. Politically, the Underclass tend to align towards anti-establishment groups, both on the left and the right. The PP, CPV, AU and other such groups are supported disproportinately by the underclass, but the underclass is also the social class with the highest amount of political apathy.