Dilemmas of Class Analysis and Stratification Research in Hungary

Hungary used to be a country with large scale surveys on social stratification and class inequalities. In these days, however, no such projects can be mentioned like the ones carried out by Ferge, Kolosi or Andorka earlier. Thus, even if there is a considerable knowledge on some aspects of social inequalities, in particular on schooling and income differentiation, the ‘big picture’ of Hungary’s class map hardly exists. The article outlines two possible approaches for class analysis: (1) occupation-based class structure; (2) and resource-based class structure. The previous method is highly standardized including measuring and coding occupations as well as constructing classes on the ground of the occupations (EGP or ESeC classifications). This type of analysis looks at societies as being hierarchical, and frequently combines the study of class differences with the investigation of chances for social (occupational) mobility. The second approach takes into account a larger variety of mechanisms generating social inequalities, including the cultural, economic and social ‘capitals’ individuals may possess. The article discusses the difficulties of measuring the various components of class inequalities in empirical (survey) research. In the last part, current knowledge on social stratification is summarized. In this regard, the article builds on the results from the Census and the Monitor surveys by TARKI. More emphasis is put on the recent analysis by Kolosi and Pósch as well as on the findings from the on-line survey on class by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the GfK. By conclusion, the paper underlines certain consistencies like the missing middle class or the large amount of poor in Hungarian society. At the same time, further studies on Hungarian class system are required, taking into account measurement problems too.