Merit, mobility and method: Another reply to Saunders

(2002) - Richard Breen, John H. Goldthorpe

Journal: The British Journal of Sociology
Link:: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1080/0007131022000043665
DOI:: 10.1080/0007131022000043665
Links::
Tags:: #paper #NCDS #BCS #Tenure #Agency
Cite Key:: [@Breen2002]

Abstract

Saunders (1996, 1997) has argued, on the basis of analyses of the NCDS data-set, that present-day Britain is ‘to a large extent’ a meritocratic society: where individuals end up within the class structure is largely determined by their ability and effort. We have presented analyses (1999, 2001), using both the NCDS and the BCS70 data-sets, to show that Saunders’ argument is unsound, in part because of technical deŽciencies in his work but also because he fails to see the full implications of the results he reports. Saunders now attempts to rescue his position. However, we do not Žnd his latest contribution any more impressive than his earlier ones.

Notes

“Saunders’ argument is unsound, in part because of technical deŽciencies in his work but also because he fails to see the full implications of the results he reports.” (Breen and Goldthorpe, 2002, p. 575)