SERVICE SECTOR GROWTH, EDUCATIONAL ELITES, AND INEQUALITY: UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE POST‐INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

Abstract

Educated elites are making their mark on the stratification structure of the metropolitan US. Educated elites are proportionally greater whenever the economy is service dominated, and furthermore, these elites are the key factor in explaining why disparities resulting from high earners are present in service dominated areas. The resulting inequality in earnings is one of the unanticipated consequences of the growth of an educated elite, at least among males. It remains to be seen whether female elites will resemble males in their influence on inequality if sex differences in earnings disappear. The elite is a professional cadre rather than an aristocracy based solely on inherited wealth, placed just beyond an upper middle class. Given their background, education, affluence and numbers, the choices this elite makes on issues will influence the course of society.

Citation

Nelson, J.I. and Lorence, J. (1985), "SERVICE SECTOR GROWTH, EDUCATIONAL ELITES, AND INEQUALITY: UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE POST‐INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 5 No. 4, pp. 74-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb012997