Some social and political implications of the contemporary fragmentation of the ‘service class’ in Britain*

Business service firms, service space and the management of change

“…The history of capitalist production is thus associated with a constant division and specializationof activity and the growth of a professional middle class. It is this class that is at the centre of the modern service economy (Urry 1986, Savage et al 1988). …”

Living at the edge? Connecting work insecurity and housing risk among service workers in Oslo

“…The multiplicity of experiences seems to involve disadvantage, hierarchy, and division; it is not just a random selection of practices and relations. Some scholars have talked about 'fragmentation of the service class' (Savage et al 1988). Another effective metaphor is Enzo Mingione's 'fragmented polarization'.…”

Cosmopolitans—“At home” in the city?

“…Maybe having arrived there, the cosmopolitans seek to preserve it against the intrusion of others (Savage et al, 1988). On the other hand it is not rare that outsiders, because of their travel and experience, can perceive the unique quality of buildings which for local residents are merely routine or even objects of negative associations-for example tired buildings in traditional working class districts.…”