Opportunity beliefs and class differences in subjective status injustice during the Great Recession in Iceland

Abstract

Sociologists theorize that opportunity beliefs shape whether individuals see their status in society as just or unjust-a topic that is broadly relevant to research linking social structure to emotions and behaviors. Two prominent theories, however, entail competing propositions. The dominant ideology thesis suggests that believing in opportunity barriers increases subjective status injustice, especially for lower class individuals. In contrast, relative deprivation theory implies that believing in restricted opportunities deters upward comparison among the lower classes, potentially reducing class differences in subjective status injustice. Relationships between class position, opportunity beliefs, and subjective status injustice were studied using survey data gathered during the Great Recession in Iceland. The findings indicate that beliefs in opportunity barriers are widespread, yet few see their social status as unjust. Moreover, only opportunity barriers stemming from political ties and gender increase subjective status injustice, especially so in the case of political ties among lower class individuals. It is likely that this latter sentiment was made particularly significant during the recession by an intense moral discourse condemning nepotism and cronyism. Because these two opportunity constraints are widely condemned in Iceland, we suggest that only opportunity barriers defined as social problems in a given society are salient enough to influence status justice evaluations.

Class in Iceland

“…Oddsson (2018) mapped Iceland's class structure based on 2008-2010 data using the schema, showing that 45% belong to the service class, 40% are middle class and 15% are working class. Moreover, these divisions shape incomes, class identity and subjective status injustice (Oddsson and Bernburg, 2018). Oesch (2006) has criticized the Goldthorpe schema as outdated, for it was modelled on the 1970s UK.…”

“…And only beliefs in barriers deriving from political connections and gender heighten subjective status injustice, especially concerning political ties for lower class individuals. This latter sentiment was rendered particularly significant after the economic collapse by intense moral discourse denouncing crony capitalism and nepotism (Oddsson and Bernburg, 2018).…”

“…Building on relative deprivation theory, Ragnarsdóttir et al found that ‘a perceived reduction in standard of living has no effects on subjective injustice and anger if individuals believe that the crisis has affected them less than others’ (2013: 770). Politicians, social movement actors and the media moreover framed the collapse in terms of crony capitalism, which highlighted the ‘downfall’ of the super-rich and helped render ‘beliefs about opportunities for advancement as being shaped by political ties an influential factor in shaping status justice evaluations’ (Oddsson and Bernburg, 2018: 294).…”