Generation versus Class – which matters more?

Cohort, Social Class and Earnings Inequality

Economy and society. Shin Gwang-Young (2009)

This paper attempts to explore earnings inequality in South Korea, focusing on the relationship between labor market cohorts and social class. As recently the young people in their 20’s who has experienced serious impact of the neoliberal economic reform has been called as “.88 million Won Generation”, once again an issue of generations or cohorts became a new issue with regard to social inequality. This paper argues that an inequality of generations itself is exgerated and class inequality with an interaction with cohorts is much important to comprehend social inequality in contemporary Korea. Analyzing the first and 10th Korea Labor Income Panel Survey(KLIPS) data, this paper shows that earnings inequality between cohorts has been diminishing, whereas earnings inequality within cohort has been increasing. The rising inequality within cohort is related with the rising earnings inequality between classes. The proportion of outsiders such as non-standard workers and petty bourgeoisie has been increasing as cohort has been getting older. Thus, the problems of low earnings and job uncertainty are much more serious among older population than the young adult. The issue of generation or cohort can be a pertinent issue only when it is dealt with in the relationship with social class.

Issues in Research on Class and Social Stratification in the 2000s

Economy and Society. Shin Gwang-Young (2013)

This paper reviews the research on class and stratification done in the 2000s and suggests research agenda for the future research in South Korea. There has been proliferation of research on class and stratification as an expansion of empirical research on impacts of neoliberal globalization on diverse social dimensions in the post-crisis period. They include inequality, precarious employment, class culture, and class consciousness among others. In addition, research on class and stratification in foreign countries has taken place as globalization has proceeded. They contribute to deepen our understanding of inequality and class and stratification system in other countries as well as South Korea. Finally this paper proposes new research agenda for the next decade that include research on the ruling class and the middle class and an investigation of disjuncture of class and voting in South Korea.